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Updated: Apr 6, 2026

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation
Published on: April 27, 2021
20(S)-Protopanaxatriol inhibits release of inflammatory mediators in immunoglobulin E-mediated mast cell activation
Dae Yong Kim1, Jai Youl Ro1, Chang Ho Lee2
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
Background:
Antiallergic effect of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), an intestinal metabolite of ginseng saponins, was investigated in guinea pig lung mast cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells activated by a specific antigen/antibody reaction.
Methods:
Increasing concentrations of PPT were pretreated 5 min prior to antigen stimulation, and various inflammatory mediator releases and their relevant cellular signaling events were measured in those cells.
Results:
PPT dose-dependently reduced the release of histamine and leukotrienes in both types of mast cells. Especially, in activated bone marrow-derived mast cells, PPT inhibited the expression of Syk protein, cytokine mRNA, cyclooxygenase-1/2, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as well as the activities of various protein kinase C isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinases, PLA2, and transcription factors (nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1).
Conclusion:
PPT reduces the release of inflammatory mediators via inhibiting multiple cellular signaling pathways comprising the Ca(2+) influx, protein kinase C, and PLA2, which are propagated by Syk activation upon allergic stimulation of mast cells.
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