Mast Cell-Dependent Allergic Responses Are Inhibited by Ethanolic Extract of Adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) Testa

Abstract

Allergy is an immune dysfunction caused by degranulation from mast cells in the early phase and cytokine secretion in the late phase of the cell. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adlay (Job's tears, Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) testa against beta-hexosaminidase release as a marker of degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The ethyl acetate fraction from ethanolic extracts of adlay testa (ATE-EtOAc) exhibited potent inhibitory activity that suppressed degranulation from RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by 1 microM A23187. The 20%-80% EtOAc/Hex subfractions of ATE-EtOAc significantly inhibited histamine release with a IC(50) of 75-100 microg/mL. In addition, the ATE-EtOAc subfractions suppressed interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in RBL-2H3 cells, indicating that adlay testa were able to inhibit cytokine secretion. In order to explore the inhibitory mechanism of adlay testa in mast cell degranulation, we examined the activation of intracellular signaling molecules. Adlay testa inhibited the phosphorylation ERK expression. Furthermore, the two major active compounds, 4-hydroxyacetophenone and p-coumaric acid, were isolated from the ATE-EtOAc subfractions. These results suggest that ATE had an inhibitory effect on allergic response via the ERK signaling transduction in RBL-2H3 cells.

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of adlay bran free phenolics on macroporous resins

“…It is a nourishing food, and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine (Chung et al, 2011). Due to its beneficial efficacies including anti-inflammation, anticancer, and analgesic effects (Chen, Shih, Hsu, & Chiang, 2010;Seo et al, 2000), adlay is usually used for the treatment of warts, chapped skin, rheumatism and neuralgia. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory and antihelmintic agent (Chen, Chung, Chiang, & Lin, 2011;Kuo, Shih, Kuo, & Chiang, 2001).…”

Removal of copper ions from aqueous solution by adlai shell (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) adsorbents

“…Adlai is also widely planted in Taiwan, China, and Japan, where it is considered a healthy food supplement. It is also used to treat warts, chapped skin, rheumatism and neuralgia and various parts of the adlai plant have notable anticancer (Lee et al, 2008), anti-inflammatory (Seo et al, 2000) and anti-allergic properties (Chen et al, 2010b). However, the adlai shell, which constitutes half of the grain by weight, is regarded as waste.…”

Antimycobacterial Activity Some Different Lamiaceae Plant Extracts Containing Flavonoids and Other Phenolic Compounds

“…In previous studies, flavonoids were reported to show antimicrobial (Cushnie & Lamb, 2006, anti-allergic (Chen et al, 2010), anti-inflammatory (Seo et al, 2000), and anticarcinogenic (Lee et al, 2008) activities. Until 2004, it was suggested Lamb, 2005, 2011) that their antibacterial efficacy was dependent upon cytoplasmic membrane damage by perforation (Ikigai et al, 1993), inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis (Mori et al, 1987) and disruption of energy metabolism due to NADH-cytochrome c reductase inhibition (Haraguchi et al, 1998).…”