Anaphylaxis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anaphylaxis, including details on food allergies, diagnosis, treatment, causes.

The anti-anaphylactic effect of the gall of Rhus javanica is mediated through inhibition of histamine release and inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Kim SH, Park HH, Lee S, Jun CD, Choi BJ, Kim SY, Kim SH, Kim DK, Park JS, Chae BS, Shin TY

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 700-422, South Korea.

The immediate-type allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. We investigated the effect of the gall of Rhus javanica (GRJ) on the model of the immediate-type allergic reaction, and studied its possible mechanisms. GRJ inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. GRJ attenuated immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reactions. In addition, GRJ dose dependently decreased histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or IgE. The decreasing effect of GRJ on the histamine release was mediated by the modulation of cAMP and [Ca2+]i in mast cells. Furthermore, GRJ decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion in human mast cells. The inhibitory effect of GRJ on the pro-inflammatory cytokine was c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB dependent. Our findings provide evidence that GRJ inhibits mast cell-derived immediate-type allergic reactions, and suggest the possible mechanisms of action.

Published 8 November 2005 in Int Immunopharmacol, 5(13): 1820-9.
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