Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated acute and chronic allergic reactions by Dodutang

Dodutang has been used for treatment of various allergic inflammation diseases in Korea. However, it is still unclear how Dodutang prevents these diseases in experimental animal models. Mast cells play an important roles in allergic and other inflammatory reactions by producing a spectrum of powerful mediators including preformed and de novo synthesized cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effect of Dodutang on mast cell-mediated allergic and inflammatory reactions. Dodutang (0.001-5 g/L) significantly inhibited the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80. Dodutang (0.001-5 g/kg) dose-dependantly inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE in a rat model, especially, by 78.96% at the concentration of 5 g/kg. In addition, Dodutang potently inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated human mast cells. However, IL-6 secretion was enhanced at the same conditions. Dodutang also inhibited the main inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha protein expression in human mast cells. These results provide evidences that Dodutang may be beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic allergic diseases.