Inhibitory Effects of Acanthopanax chiisanensis Ethanolic Extracts on FcεRI α Chain Expression

Abstract

Basophils and mast cells play an important role in FcεRI-mediated allergic reaction as effector cells. We studied the effects of Acanthopanax chiisanensis on FcεRI α chain expression in human basophilic KU812F cells. Ethanol extracts from root and stem of A. chiisanensis were tested for inhibitory effects of FcεRI α chain expression. The cell surface FcεRI α chain expression was examined by flow cytometric analysis. All of the extracts of A. chiisanensis reduced the cell surface FcεRI α chain expression. Furthermore, A. chiisanensis extracts caused a decrease in the level of FcεRI α chain mRNA level and FcεRI-mediated histamine release. These results suggest that root and stem extracts of A. chiisanensis play an important role in anti-allergic activity via down-regulation of FcεRI α chain expression and decrease in release of inflammatory mediator such as histamine.