Suppression of TH2-Type Immune Response-Mediated Allergic Diarrhea Following Oral Administration of Traditional Korean Medicine:Atractylodes MacrocephalaKoidz

Abstract

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) is well-known as a digestive and tonic material and is widely used in traditional Korean herbal medicines. Previously, we found that protein samples obtained from the medicines could induce a preferential stimulation of type 1, rather than type 2, helper T lymphocytes (Th) immune responses in vitro. Since immune response induction is controlled by the balanced activation between Th1- and Th2-type immune responses, we tested to see whether or not the AMK protein sample could inhibit the ovalbumin (OVA)-mediated allergic diarrhea, whose induction has been known to be mediated by the Th2-type immune responses. The sample treatment markedly stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, antibody production, and cytokine secretion in vitro, showing a preferential stimulation of Th1-type immune responses. In particular, oral administration of the AMK sample suppressed the OVA-mediated allergic diarrhea in mice. The sample treatment also suppressed the OVA-mediated enhanced levels of total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, as well as OVA-specific IgE, which are closely associated with Th2 cell stimulation in mice. Furthermore, the oral treatment of the sample significantly increased gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by lymphocytes, isolated from spleen and large intestine of the mice, that had been systematically challenged with OVA. Consequently, the oral administration of AMK protein sample suppressed the OVA-mediated allergic diarrhea by preferential stimulation of the Th1-type immune responses.

Pyeongwee-San extract (KMP6): a new anti-allergic effect

“…Each of them or their components has already been reported to have an effect on the symptoms of allergy. Mice administered with Atractylodes lancea D.C extract experienced suppression of OVA‐mediated allergic diarrhea by preferential stimulation of Th1‐type immune responses [34] . Atractylenolide III, a component of Atractylodes lancea D.C, significantly decreases histamine release increased by PMA plus A23187 in HMC‐1 cells [35] .…”

Th2 Differentiation in Distinct Lymph Nodes Influences the Site of Mucosal Th2 Immune-Inflammatory Responses

“…In fact, despite evidence of systemic Th2 immunity in cutaneous-and respiratory mucosal-sensitized mice, these mice were unable to develop GI manifestations upon intragastric Ag challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated that oral Aginduced diarrhea and allergic GI responses in mice are dependent on the induction of Th2 immunity including GI inflammation mediated by IgE-primed mast cells, eosinophils, and CD4 ϩ Th2 cells (25,35,36). In those studies, disease-positive animals had also been sensitized systemically although the precise involvement of specific LNs during sensitization was not examined (25).…”

Effects of Herbal Medicinal Formulas on Suppressing Viral Replication and Modulating Immune Responses

“…C. foetida has versatile medical applications and is prescribed to ease uncomfortable feelings or medical symptoms caused by hot flashes, diabetes, inflammatory, HIV or malaria infection, osteoporosis, and vasoactive complications (Li and Yu, 2006). Finally, the glycoproteins from A. macrocephala have been proven to have stimulatory effects on mouse splenocytes (Lee et al, 2007), and oral administration of its protein extract preferentially stimulated the Th1 immune responses that suppressed ovalbumin-mediated allergic diarrhea (Kim et al, 2005). Summing up the reports described above leads to the conclusion that every herbal component in CUC has an immunomodulative effect, and administering the herbal medicinal formula should benefit patients' general immunity in protecting against or curing infections, tumors, diabetes, and the immune-related diseases.…”