KOTMIN13, a Korean herbal medicine alleviates allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro.
BACKGROUND
The ethanol extract of KOTMIN13, composed of Inula japonica Flowers, Trichosanthes kirilowii Semen, Peucedanum praeruptorum Radix, and Allium macrostemon Bulbs, was investigated for its anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic activities.


METHODS
The anti-asthmatic effects of KOTMIN13 were evaluated on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Anti-allergic properties of KOTMIN13 in bone-marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in vivo were also examined.


RESULTS
In asthma model, KOTMIN13 effectively suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness induced by aerosolized methacholine when compared to the levels of OVA-induced mice. KOTMIN13 treatment reduced the total leukocytes, eosinophil percentage, and Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in OVA-induced mice. The increased levels of eotaxin and Th2 cytokines in the lung as well as serum IgE were decreased by KOTMIN13. The histological analysis shows that the increased inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion were also reduced. In addition, the degranulation and leukotriene C4 production were inhibited in BMMC with IC50 values of 3.9 μg/ml and 1.7 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, KOTMIN13 treatment attenuated mast-mediated PCA reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that KOTMIN13 has anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic effects in vivo and in vitro models.
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Eujin
E
Lee
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Sun-Gun
SG
Kim
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Na-Young
NY
Park
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Hyo-Hyun
HH
Park
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Kyu-Tae
KT
Jeong
Department of Cosmetic Science, Chungwoon University, Chungnam, 350-701, Republic of Korea.
Jongkeun
J
Choi
Department of Cosmetic Science, Chungwoon University, Chungnam, 350-701, Republic of Korea.
In-Hae
IH
Lee
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea.
Hwadong
H
Lee
Department of Clinical Pathology, Daekyeung University, Gyeongsan, 712-719, Republic of Korea. biomed@tk.ac.kr.
Keuk-Jun
KJ
Kim
Research and Development Division, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan, 712-260, Republic of Korea. eklee@ynu.ac.kr.
Eunkyung
E
Lee
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; C000613571:KOTMIN13; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010047:Ovalbumin
Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR); Bone-marrow derived mast cells (BMMC); Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF); Degranulation; Leukotriene C4 (LTC4); Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA)