Lignans from Machilus thunbergii as Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Inhibitors

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of various allergic diseases that are mediated by T helper cell type-2 (Th2) responses, including asthma and atopic dermatitis. The primary focus of this study was the identification of potent inhibitors of the TSLP signaling pathway for potential therapeutic use. The 80% methanol extract of Machilus thunbergii bark significantly inhibited the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) phosphorylation in human mast cell (HMC)-1 cells. Through activity-guided isolation, three lignans (1-3) were obtained and identified as (+)-galbelgin (1), meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (2), and machilin A (3). Among them, two lignans (1 and 2) significantly inhibited STAT5 phosphorylation and TSLP/TSLPR interaction, as determined by ELISA. Our results indicated that lignans isolated from M. thunbergii are a promising resource for the treatment of allergic diseases.