Flavonoid inhibition of human basophil histamine release stimulated by various agents

Eleven naturally occurring flavonoids representing five different chemical classes were studied for their effects on human basophil histamine release triggered by six different stimuli. The flavonoids included flavone, quercetin, taxifolin, chalcone, apigenin, fisetin, rutin, phloretin, tangeretin, hesperetin, and naringin. The stimuli were antigen, anti-IgE, concanavalin A, ionophore A23187, formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate. Concentration-effect relationships were established for each flavonoid (5-50 microM) at concentrations of stimuli which produced near optimal histamine release. Variable degrees of inhibition were noted depending on the nature of the stimulus and flavonoid structure. The flavonols, quercetin and fisetin, and the flavone, apigenin, exhibited a predilection to inhibit histamine release stimulated by IgE-dependent ligands (antigen, anti-IgE, and con A). The flavanone derivatives, taxifolin and hesperetin, were inactive, as were the glycosides, rutin and naringin. The open chain congeners, chalcone and phloretin, also possessed inhibitory activity. Thus, the flavonoids may be useful probes in comparative analysis of secretory phenomena. The findings suggest that the biochemical pathways leading to secretion differ subtly from one stimulus to another. The differences are detectable with flavonoids of different structures and possibly reflect distinct pathways of Ca2+ mobilization or other unique mechanisms of action.