Harpagoside-induced anaphylactic reaction in an IgE-independent manner both in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND

Harpagoside (HAR) is an active component of Scrophularia ningpoensis (SN), which has anti-inflammatory and anti-immune effects. SN is used widely in China to treat various diseases. Recently, SN has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine injection and used clinically. However, allergic responses to these injections are frequently reported.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether the main component of SN, HAR, is associated with the allergic reaction to SN.

METHODS

This study assessed the effects of HAR in mice and mast cell activation to characterize its anaphylactic effects and underlying mechanisms. Mice hindpaw swelling, serum allergy factor detection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and degranulation assays were performed to measure allergic mediators both in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

The present study indicated that HAR induced paw swelling, interleukin-6, inositol triphosphate, tumor necrosis factor-α, and histamine increases in mice. Our in vitro data also showed that HAR induced β-hexosaminidase, inositol triphosphate, and interleukin-6 release, leading to mast cell degranulation. In contrast, neither C48/80 nor HAR induced local anaphylaxis in STOCK KitW-sh/HNihrJaeBsmJNju mice.

CONCLUSIONS

HAR is a potential sensitization compound in SN, and these results provide information for the safe clinical use of SN.