Anti-allergic effect of a Korean traditional medicine, Biyeom-Tang on mast cells and allergic rhinitis

Background: Biyeom-Tang, a medicine prescribed by oriental clinics, has been used for the treatment of the allergic rhinitis (AR). In the present study, an ethanol extract of Biyeom-Tang (EBT) was investigated for anti-allergic properties on bone-marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) and in vivo models. Methods: The anti-allergic properties of EBT were evaluated by measuring beta-Hex release and the production of prostaglandin D-2 (PGD(2)) and leukotriene C-4 (LTC4) on BMMC in vitro and PCA and OVA-induced AR models in vivo. Results: EBT strongly inhibited a degranulation reaction in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 35.6 mu g/ml. In addition, the generation of PGD2 and LTC4 was inhibited in BMMC in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 7.0 mu g/ml and 10.9 mu g/ml, respectively. When administrated orally, EBT ameliorated the mast cell-mediated PCA reaction. In the OVA-induced AR model, the increased levels of IgE were reduced by EBT. The levels of cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 decreased in the splenocytes of EBT-treated mice. The histological analysis shows that the infiltration of inflammatory cells increased by OVA-sensitization was also reduced. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggested that EBT has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo models.