Anti-allergic effect of α-cubebenoate isolated from Schisandra chinensis using in vivo and in vitro experiments.

OBJECTIVE

In Oriental countries, the dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis are extensively used in traditional medicine to treat asthma, gonorrhea, and other diseases. Recently, α-cubebenoate was isolated as an anti-inflammatory component from Schisandra chinensis. In the present study, the authors examined the anti-allergic effect of α-cubebenoate using in vivo and in vitro experiments.

METHODS

α-Cubebenoate was isolated from an extract of Schisandra chinensis fruits. Antigen-induced degranulation and Ca(2+) mobilization were measured in RBL-2H3 mast cells. In addition, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide, and then challenged with ovalbumin for three consecutive days. α-Cubebenoate (1mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30min before each ovalbumin challenge.

RESULTS

In RBL-2H3 mast cells, α-cubebenoate inhibited antigen-induced degranulation and increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations. In the ovalbumin-induced asthma model, α-cubebenoate suppressed bronchiolar structural changes induced by ovalbumin challenge. Furthermore, α-cubebenoate strongly inhibited accumulations of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. α-Cubebenoate also suppressed Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) and TGF-β1 in lung tissues and in immune cells at the mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

α-Cubebenoate has an inhibitory effect on allergic inflammation and could be utilized as an agent for the treatment of asthma.