Antiallergic effect of Gami-hyunggyeyeongyotang on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mouse and human mast cells

Background: Gami-hyunggyeyeongyotang (GMHGYGT) is a polyherbal medicine derived from an oriental prescription traditionally used in the treatment of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GMHGYGT on ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization/challenge-induced AR in BALB/C mice, through examination of allergic inflammatory response regulation, as well as examination of human mast cells (HMC-1). Methods: Nasal symptoms were evaluated in the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model, and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum were investigated. Eosinophil infiltration and thickness of the nasal mucosa, and levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and caspase-1 were also measured by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the effect of GMHGYGT on the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, C-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 in HMC-1 cells was investigated. Results: GMHGYGT was demonstrated to have antiallergic effects on the nasal symptoms of the OVA-induced mouse model, decreasing serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and levels of the cytokines IL-5, IL-6, IL-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2. GMHGYGT reduced the number of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa and thickness of the nasal septum, and inhibited the expression of IL-1β and caspase-1. Moreover, it inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and C-Jun N-terminal kinase, as well as the activation of nuclear factor-κB on protein level in HMC-1 cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that GMHGYGT has therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic rhinitis