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Demand for novel drug screening methods which are characterized by simple, rapid and low cost is increasing now. In this study, the simple and rapid evaluation of the anti-allergic effect of natural medicines on the degranulation of a model mast cell (RBL-2H3 cells) was successfully achieved by two-dimensional surface plasmon resonance (2D-SPR) measurement. The each cell response was observed by SPR imaging upon model antigen, Albumin from bovine serum, 2, 4-Dintrophenylated (DNP-BSA) stimulation after anti-DNP IgE sensitization on RBL-2H3 cells. Here glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and isoliquiritigenin (ISL) were examined as degranulation inhibitors. After the pretreatment with 30 µmol/L GA or 50 µmol/L ISL, the reflection intensity increase at cell regions upon DNP-BSA stimulation was completely suppressed. In addition, it was shown that the suppression of reflection intensity increase at cell regions in the 2D-SPR observation upon DNP-BSA stimulation was dependent on the GA and ISL concentration in pretreatment as well as β-hexosaminidase assay. These results demonstrated that the suppression effect of GA and ISL on the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells could be evaluated by 2D-SPR observation at cell regions in quick and simple manner. Our study further suggested that 2D-SPR observation of mast cell response might be applicable to screen anti-allergic components of natural products and useful to discuss its inhibitory effect in the intracellular signaling pathway of mast cell upon antigen stimulation.

An oil of Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling was analyzed by GC. The main constituents identified were pulegone (63.0%) and menthone (16.4%). It was found that the oil inhibited β-hexosaminidase release from basophils. Forty-two percent of the cells present in lymphocyte cultures stimulated by the oil were CD8(+) T cells and showed higher IFN-γ levels than non-stimulated cultures (p < 0.05). According to these results, the oil was considered to be a Th1 deviation inducer, inhibiting the immediate-type allergic reaction. © 2007, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Fil: Cariddi, Laura Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Panero, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Demo, Mirta Susana. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Sabini, Liliana Ines. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Maldonado, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Grosso, Margarita. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina Fil: Zygadlo, Julio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Quercetin is the great representative of polyphenols, flavonoids subgroup, flavonols. Its main natural sources in foods are vegetables such as onions, the most studied quercetin containing foods, and broccoli; fruits (apples, berry crops, and grapes); some herbs; tea; and wine. Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production. It can improve the Th1/Th2 balance, and restrain antigen-specific IgE antibody formation. It is also effective in the inhibition of enzymes such as lipoxygenase, eosinophil and peroxidase and the suppression of inflammatory mediators. All mentioned mechanisms of action contribute to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of quercetin that can be effectively utilized in treatment of late-phase, and late-late-phase bronchial asthma responses, allergic rhinitis and restricted peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions. Plant extract of quercetin is the main ingredient of many potential anti-allergic drugs, supplements and enriched products, which is more competent in inhibiting of IL-8 than cromolyn (anti-allergic drug disodium cromoglycate) and suppresses IL-6 and cytosolic calcium level increase.