title: Evaluation of the anaphylactoid potential of Andrographis paniculata extracts using the popliteal lymph node assay and P815 cell degranulation in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anaphylactoid reactions induced by andrographis injection have repeatedly been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate the immuno-sensitizing potential of extracts from Andrographis paniculata Nees and to screen for the constituent that is responsible for inducing the anaphylactoid reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the direct popliteal lymph node assay (D-PLNA), female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into several groups with ten mice per group according to the experiment design, the right hind footpads of mice received a single subcutaneous injection of Andrographis paniculata (50 μl), and the left hind footpads received the same volume of vehicle. Seven days later, the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the popliteal lymph nodes from both the left and right sides were removed. The weight (WI) and cellularity indices (CI) of the popliteal lymph nodes (PLNs) were then calculated, and the pathological changes of the PLNs were measured. In addition, P815 mast cells were collected for the in vitro cell degranulation experiment. The level of histamine, the percentage of cell degranulation and the ratio of ammonia glycosidase released were measured to further evaluate the potential allergenicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol extract (AEE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and n-butanol extract (NBE) significantly increased the weight (WI > 2) and cell number (CI > 5) of PLNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Additionally, all the three monomers of andrographis, namely NAD, AND, and DDA, significantly increased the weight (WI > 2) and cell number (CI > 5) of the PLNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the cell model, all of the different extract fractions (AEE, EAE and NBE) and the three monomers of andrographis markedly elevated the level of histamine, the percentage of cell degranulation and the ratio of ammonia glycosidase released.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diterpene lactone compounds of Andrographis paniculata Nees (total lactones of andrographolide) may have a potential sensitizing capacity in andrographis injection.
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. hxguang21@163.com.
authors.forename: Xuguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. rainnysky21@163.com.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Zhongshuai Pharmaceutical Sci&Tech Incorporated Co., LTD, Zhengzhou, 450000, China. dreamfly210@126.com.
authors.forename: Shasha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of New Traditional Chinese Drugs, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. ljb@fimmu.com.
authors.forename: Jiabo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of New Traditional Chinese Drugs, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. txm@fimmu.com.
authors.forename: Xiaomei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. tanlaker@sina.com.
authors.forename: Zhiheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Armed Police Logistics College, Tianjin, 300000, China. luxhwork@126.com.
authors.forename: Xinhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. longxy3156@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D035685:Andrographis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts