title: Morus bombycis extract suppresses mast cell activation and IgE-mediated allergic reaction in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morus bombycis Koidzumi (MB) is widely distributed throughout Korea, where it is used as a traditional folk remedy for the treatment of allergic diseases including asthma. However, the pharmacological effect and the mechanistic study of MB have not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the anti-allergic activity of MB in vitro and in vivo and the mechanism of its action on mast cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-allergic activity of MB extract (MBE) was assessed using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) in vitro. The effects of MBE on mast cell activation were evaluated by using the β-hexosaminidase release assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MBE reversibly inhibited degranulation and generation of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-4) in antigen-stimulated mast cells. With regard to its mechanism of action, MBE inhibited the activation of Lyn and Syk, which have essential roles in degranulation and the production of various inflammatory cytokines. MBE also inhibited the activating phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, Erk1/2, p38, JNK, and Akt. In agreement with its in vitro effect, MBE significantly inhibited mast cell-mediated PCA reactions in IgE-sensitized mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results strongly suggest that MBE exerts an anti-allergic effect, both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the Lyn and Syk pathways in mast cells. Therefore, MBE may be useful for the treatment of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma.
authors: Institute of Functional Genomics and College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Ju Dong
authors: JD
authors: Kim
authors: Do Kyun
authors: DK
authors: Kim
authors: Hyuk Soon
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: A-Ram
authors: AR
authors: Kim
authors: Bokyung
authors: B
authors: Kim
authors: Erk
authors: E
authors: Her
authors: Kyung Hee
authors: KH
authors: Park
authors: Hyung Sik
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Young Mi
authors: YM
authors: Kim
authors: Wahn Soo
authors: WS
authors: Choi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D031625:Morus; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases