Identification of the compounds in Ku Shen (Sophora flavescentis), an active constituent of ASHMI (Anti-asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention) that inhibit IgE synthesis

Trabajo presentado al American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting celebrado en Nueva Orlenas (US) del 26 de febrero al 2 de marzo de 2010.[Rationale]: Previous experiments demonstrated that the ASHMI constituent Ku Shen inhibited IgE production by a human myeloma B cell line (IC50= 45.68 μg/mL). This herb was fractionated into 8 different fractions (KSF1-KSF8) with respect to polarity and acidic vs basic properties. KSF1 (a flavanoid rich fraction) showed the strongest inhibition of IgE secretion (IC50=10.41 μg/mL). The aim of this study was to identify the compounds in KSF1 responsible for this suppression. [Methods]: KSF1was sub-fractionated by preparative reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) into four fractions (KSF1a, b, c, and d). These fractions were tested for reduction of IgE production by a human myeloma B-cell line cultured at 2x105 cells/mLfor 6 days. IgE levels in supernatants were quantified by Immunocap. [Results]: Among KSF1 sub-fractions, KSF1a had no effect on IgE production. Sub-fractions b, c and d inhibited IgE secretion in a dose dependent manner (KSF1c IC50 value 1.33 μg/mL, KSF1b IC50 value 2.32 μg/mL and KSF1d IC50 value 8.16 μg/mL). No cytotoxicity was detected using MTT assay. [Conclusion]: KSF1c fraction contains the compounds most responsible for the anti-IgE effects of Ku Shen. This fraction will be further investigated to elucidate the chemical structures of the compounds most responsible for the anti-IgE activity of Ku ShenPeer Reviewe

Compounds isolated from Qu Mai (Dianthus superbus) inhibit IgE secretion by human B cells

Trabajo presentado al American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting celebrado en Nueva Orlenas (US) del 26 de febrero al 2 de marzo de 2010.[Rationale]: In a recent screening of 70 anti-inflammatory herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qu Mai (Dianthus superbus) was found to be the most effective herb in reducing IgE secretion by a human B cell line. Furthermore, preliminary in vivo studies have shown the ability of Qu Mai to reduce the symptoms of anaphylactic shock in peanut-sensitized mice. The objective of this study was to identify compounds in Qu Mai responsible for inhibition of IgE synthesis. [Methods]: An aqueous extract of the medicinal herb Qu Mai was fractionated with respect to polarity, acidic versus basic properties, and organic properties. The non-polar F1 (neutral), F3 (basic), and F5 (acidic) fractions were tested as well as the slightly polar F2 (neutral), F4 (basic), and F6 (acidic) fractions. Human myeloma cells were cultured at 2x105 cells/mL for 6 days. The fractions were added on day 0 at concentrations of 20 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL. IgE production in the supernatants was quantified via Immunocap. [Results]: The Qu Mai organic fractions F5 (lipophilic organic acids) and F6 (intermediate lipophilic organic acids), markedly suppressed IgE production, at the concentration of 20μg/mL F5 and F6 resulted in 97.5% and 98.29% of inhibition respectively. However, the F1, F2, F3 fractions were not as potent as F5 or F6. F4 had no significant effect on IgE production. [Conclusions]: Qu Mai organic acidic fractions F5 and F6 contain the compounds with the most potent anti-IgE effects. Therefore, these fractions will be the target of further investigation of the anti-IgE property of Qu Mai.Peer Reviewe