Suppression of immunoglobulin E-mediated anaphylactic reaction by Hwanglyun-Haedok-Tang water extract

According to traditional Oriental philosophy, Hwanglyun-Haedok-Tang (HH-Tang) is a prescription for heat clearing of the organism. This prescription has been used against allergic diseases for generations, and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effect of HH-Tang water extract on immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody. HH-Tang water extract potently suppressed passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) when intradermally, intraperitoneally, or orally administered. On the other hand, it showed weak suppressive activity when administered intravenously. HH-Tang water extract, dose-dependently suppressed anaphylactic histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by anti-DNP IgE antibody. Moreover, HH-Tang water extract had a significant suppressive effect on anti-DNP IgE antibody-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion from RPMC. The level of cAMP in RPMC, when HH-Tang water extract was added, significantly increased compared with that of normal control. These results indicate that HH-Tang water extract may possess strong antianaphylactic action and also suggest that differential activity following administration routes may be caused by difference of bioavailability.