Inhibitory Effect of Rehmannia Glutinosa Pharmacopuncture Solution on β-hexosaminidase Release and Cytokine Production via Immunoglobulin Receptor Signaling in RBL-2H3 Cells

(7) Journal of Pharmacopuncture, Vol 14, No. 2, pp. 15–24, 2011

Inhibitory Effect of Rehmannia Glutinosa Pharmacopuncture Solution on β-hexosaminidase Release and Cytokine Production via Immunoglobulin Receptor Signaling in RBL-2H3 Cells

Kyung-Hwa Kang, Cheol-Hong Kim

Abstract

Objectives: Type I allergy is involved in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, which are accompanied by acute and chronic allergic inflammatory responses. Rehmannia glutinosa is a traditional medicine in the East Asian region. This study examined whether a Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) had antiallergic or anti-inflammatory effects in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells.

Methods: We determined the effect of RGPS on cell viability by using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We also were examine the effect of RGPS on the release of β-hexosaminidase and the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-α. In addition, we were evaluated the effect of RGPS on the mRNA expression of various cytokines: IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-α. Furthermore, we assesse the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB.

Results: We found that RGPS (10–4 to 10–1 dilution) did not cause any cytotoxicity. We observed significant inhibition of β-hexosaminidase release, suppression of protein secretion of IL-4 and TNF-α, and mRNA expression of multiple cytokines in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Additionally, RGPS suppressed not only the phosphorylation of MAPKs but also the transcriptional activation of NF-kB in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells.

Conclusions: These results suggest that RGPS inhibits the degranulation and the expression of cytokines, including IL-4 and TNF-α, via down regulation of MAPKs and NF-kB activation in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. In conclusion, RGPS may have the beneficial effects of exerting anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory activities.

Key Words: rehmannia Glutinosa; Pharmacopuncture; anti-allergic effects; β-hexosaminidase; Cytokine