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Updated: Oct 22, 2025

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation
Published on: April 27, 2021
Ursolic acid inhibits FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation and allergic inflammation
Hima Dhakal1, Min-Jong Kim1, Soyoung Lee2
1Cell & Matrix Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Mast cells are the primary cells that play a crucial role in the allergic diseases via secretion of diverse allergic mediators. Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory triterpenoid possessing various biological properties such as immune regulation, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of UA in FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation and allergic inflammation.
Methods:
In this study, mast cells were stimulated with immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the anti-allergic effects of UA were assessed by measuring the levels of allergic mediators. In vivo effects of UA were observed by generating passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in mouse model.
Results:
We found that UA inhibited the degranulation of mast cell by suppressing the intracellular calcium level in a concentration-dependent manner. UA inhibited the expression and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mast cells. Anti-allergic effects of UA were demonstrated via suppression of FcεRI-mediated signaling molecules. In addition, UA inhibited the IgE-mediated PCA and ovalbumin-induced ASA reactions in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
Based on these findings, we suggest that UA might have potential as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases via inhibition of FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation.
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