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Original Article
 

Inhibitory Effects of Scheffl era leucantha Extract on Production of Allergic Mediators by Langerhans Cells and Mast Cells
 

K Matsui,1 M Wirotesangthong,2 W Thanakijcharoenpath,2 C Mungmee,2 A Nishikawa1

1Department of Immunobiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
2Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2010; Vol. 20(6): 463-468
 

 Abstract


Background: Schefflera leucantha Viguier is used as a traditional medicine in Thailand and China to relieve chronic cough and asthma. However, little is known about its anti-allergic effects.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of S leucantha ethanol extract (SLEE) on chemokine production by epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) stimulated with peptidoglycan (PEG) from Staphylococcus aureus and histamine release from mast cells.

Methods: LCs were purifi ed from murine epidermal cells using the panning method with anti-IAd monoclonal antibody. Chemokine production by LCs was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mast cells for histamine release assay were induced by long-term culture of mouse spleen cells. Histamine release from these mast cells was measured by a competitive ELISA.

Results: Production of the eosinophil chemoattractant CCL5 and the type 2 T helper (TH2)–associated chemokine CCL17 from PEGstimulated LCs was significantly inhibited by SLEE. Furthermore, SLEE signifi cantly decreased the release of histamine from mast cells by IgE-mediated degranulation.

Conclusion: These results suggest that S leucantha may offer a new therapeutic approach for the control of atopic dermatitis associated with S aureus colonization through inhibition of the production of allergic mediators.

Key words: Atopic dermatitis. Peptidoglycan. Schefflera leucantha Viguier. Staphylococcus aureus. Histamine. CCL5. CCL17.