The stem of Sinomenium acutum inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and tumor necrosis factor-α production from rat peritoneal mast cells

The aqueous extract of Sinomenium acutum stem (SSAE) (0.1-1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in mice. In particular, SSAE reduced compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction with 50% at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. SSAE (100-1000 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When mice were pretreated with SSAE at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. SSAE (1-1000 μg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. In addition, SSAE (0.1 μg/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production. These results indicate that SSAE inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and TNF-α production from mast cells. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.