Anti-inflammatory effect of Seungmagalgeun-tang extract in human mast cells

Abstract

Objectives : Seungmagalgeun-tang (SMGGT) is traditional medicine widely used for inflammatory disease and flu. But SMGGT exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity with an unknown mechanism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SMGGT water extract on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of SMGGT on pro-inflammatory mediators in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)+A23187 -stimulated mast cells.Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with SMGGT 1 h prior to the addition of 50 nM of PMA and 1 µM of A23187. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether SMGGT inhibited the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in PMA+A23187 -stimulated mast cells. Results : SMGGT has no cytotoxicity at examined concentration (100, 250, and 500 µg/ml). Also, gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA+A23187 was down regulated by SMGGT. Furthermore, SMGGT suppressed the PMA+A23187-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK). But, SMGGT could not regulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions : These results suggest that SMGGT has inhibitory effects on PMA+A23187-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK.

Seungmagalgeun-Tang, a Traditional Herbal Formula, Alleviates Skin Inflammation and Depression-Like Behavior in Atopic Dermatitis Mice under Sleep Deprivation Conditions

“…According to “ Collection of Prescriptions with Notes (Yifang Jijie),” a classic book of traditional medicine, SMGGT has been used to treat both skin diseases, including purple rash, urticarial, and sleep disturbance. Previous studies reported that SMGGT had anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- α in mast cells [ 13 , 14 ]. Paeoniae Radix, a herbal constituent of SMGGT, was reported to improve sleep quality in patients with restless leg syndrome [ 15 ].…”