title: Effect of Sophora flavescens Aiton extract on degranulation of mast cells and contact dermatitis induced by dinitrofluorobenzene in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dried root of Sophora flavescens Aiton (Sophorae radix, SR) has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fever and swelling in eastern countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study investigated the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of SR using 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model and in vitro using RBL-2H3 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In mice, the topical application of 10 mg/mL of SR effectively inhibited enlargement of ear thickness and weight induced by repeated painting with DNFB. Topical application of SR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells in ear tissue. In addition, production levels of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were decreased by SR in vivo. Finally, the release of histamine and β-hexosaminidase, and migration were inhibited by treatment with SR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate the potential of SR in treating patients with allergic skin diseases and also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in anti-inflammatory action on the Th 1 skewing reaction and inhibition against recruitment and degranulation of mast cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Pusan 626-870, South Korea. kronos7@pusan.ac.kr
authors.forename: Hyungwoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi Ran
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Guem San
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Won Gun
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Su In
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006636:Histamine Release; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D029909:Sophora; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases