Anti‐allergic effect of Diosgenine in mice

Abstract

Allergies are immediate hypersensitive responses to antigens and IL‐4 is involved in the initiation and development of allergic responses. Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin, is extracted from the root of wild yam and has been shown to have a variety of biological activities including anti‐inflammatory activity. The present study was undertaken to examine whether diosgenin has an inhibitory effect on allergic response in mouse splenocytes and mouse model. Our results showed that diosgenin suppressed both T and B cells proliferation induced by mitogens. RT‐PCR analysis also revealed that mRNA levels of both IL‐4 and NFAT1 were in vitro suppressed in the presence of diosgenin. In allergic mouse model, application of diosgenin on atopic dermatitis like skin lesions improved skin condition and inhibited starching behaviors. In addition, diosgenin application suppressed IL‐4 mRNA levels and its secretion. Levels of NFAT1 mRNA were also attenuated by diosgenin in mouse. Taken together, these results suggest that diosgenin has a potent inhibitory role in T cell activation and may be a candidate for therapeutic agent in allergy.