Caffeic Acid Inhibits Compound 48/80-Induced Allergic Symptoms in Mice

Abstract

Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid), one of the moieties of chlorogenic acid, is a phenolic compound widely distributed in plant materials other than coffee, including vegetables and fruits.1) Some biological effects have been attributed to caffeic acid. Huang et al.2) have reported the inhibitory effects of chlorogenic and caffeic acid on 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumors in mice. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of caffeic acid and its derivatives have been proven in in vivo and in vitro experiments.3) In addition, the antioxidant potential with regard to the radical scavenging activity of caffeic acid has also been investigated and demonstrated by Bors et al. 4)Atopic dermatitis is a condition manifesting eczema, serous papules, scaling and crust and in severe cases, erosion of the affected skin. Itch, a sensation causing the urge to scratch, is the most significant outcome of atopic dermatitis, where insistent scratching further aggravates the skin symptoms of the disease. 5) In allergic conditions, histamine contained in skin mast cells, acts as one of the main mediators of itchness 6) ; and it has been proven that antiallergic drugs such as azelastine, oxatomide, terfenadine, epinastine and astemizole exert a relatively potent inhibitory effect on itch induced by compound 48/80 in animal models. 7)It is now accepted that drugs having an antioxidant effect have an antiallergic effect as well, and that superoxide generation plays an important role in mast cell activation.8-10) The release of chemical mediators from tissue mast cells has been centrally implicated in a diversity of allergic and inflammatory disorders. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of caffeic acid on allergic symptoms such as skin scratching behavior and vascular hyperpermeability induced by compound 48/80 were investigated in ICR mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsFemale ICR mice (6-10 weeks old) were obtained from Japan SLC, Inc. The animals were housed in an air-conditioned room maintained at 24Ϯ2°C with a relative humidity of 55Ϯ15%. They were given standard laboratory rodent chow (Oriental Yeast, Tokyo) and water ad libitum. All procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Animal Experiments at Okayama University Advanced Science Research Center.Drugs The reagents used in the experiments were obtained from the sources shown in parentheses: caffeic acid (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.), compound 48/80 (Sigma), tranilast (Kissei, Matsumoto, Japan). Caffeic acid and tranilast were suspended in 5% arabic gum, while compound 48/80 was dissolved in physiological saline.Scratching Behavior Caffeic acid was administered to the animals orally, 1 h before starting the experiment. Later, 10 mg/0.02 ml compound 48/80 was intradermally injected into the rostral part of the shaved back of the mice. Immediately after the injection, the animals were put into an observation cage (11 cm in diameter, MicroAct, Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan), which automatically and objectively ...

Antiinflammatory and Antiallergic Activity of Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata SCHERFF

“…MMBP may contain biologically active compounds such as caffeic acid and flavonoid derivatives. Thus, considering the conclusions of previous reports, 12,13) we believe that MMBP has antiallergy effects. On the other hand, it is clear that the compounds obtained from caffeic acid derivatives in MMBP have strong antioxidant activity.…”

“…In the study, caffeic acid was administered to rats in doses of 200 and 500 mg/ kg, and the administration of only 500 mg/kg was effective. 13) In the present study, MMBP was effective against vascular permeability at a dose of only 200 mg/kg. Therefore it is suggested that the vascular permeability inhibition of MMBP was more effective than that of caffeic acid.…”

“…These results indicate that MMBP exerts its antiinflammatory activity by inhibition of IgE production and the release of histamine from mast cells and by permitting local vascular permeability. Previous reports 12,13) indicated that flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives have free radical-scavenging activity and inhibit histamine release from mast cells, and flavonoids cause inhibition of IgE production. It is suggested that flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives in MMBP participate in their antiinflammatory or antiallergic activities.…”

“…[6][7][8][9] Moreover, some extracts and flavonoids and caffeic acid were founded to have antiinflammatory and antiallergic activities. [10][11][12][13] Therefore MMBP may have antiinflammatory and antiallergic activities. In the present study, we examined the antiinflammatory and antiallergic properties of MMBP using experimental inflammatory and allergic models and examined the mode of action.…”

Caffeic Acid Reduces Cutaneous Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), IL-6 and IL-1β Levels and Ameliorates Skin Edema in Acute and Chronic Model of Cutaneous Inflammation in Mice

“…9,13,21) Recent study indicated that CA had anti-inflammatory effects by reducing MPO activity and phospholipase A 2 activity in skin-incised mice. 14) However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of CA in skin inflammation are only partially understood.…”