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Research Article

Diospyros kaki calyx inhibits immediate-type hypersensitivity via the reduction of mast cell activation

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Pages 1946-1953 | Received 01 Mar 2017, Accepted 08 Jul 2017, Published online: 20 Jul 2017
 

Abstract

Context: Diospyros kaki L. (Ebenaceae) fruit is widely distributed in Asia and is known to exert anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects.

Objective: We evaluated the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of D. kaki calyx (AEDKC) on mast cell-mediated immediate-type hypersensitivity and underlying mechanism of action.

Materials and methods: For in vivo, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) and immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) models were used. In the ASA, AEDKC (1–100 mg/kg) was orally administered 3 times during 14 days. In the PCA, AEDKC was orally treated 1 h before the antigen challenge. The control drug dexamethasone was used to compare the effectiveness of AEDKC. For in vitro, IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells and primary cultured peritoneal mast cells were used to determine the role of AEDKC (0.01–1 mg/mL).

Results: Oral administration of AEDKC dose dependently suppressed rectal temperature decrease and increases in serum histamine, total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and interleukin (IL)-4 in the ASA. In the PCA, AEDKC reduced Evans blue pigmentation. Compared to dexamethasone (10 mg/kg), AEDKC (100 mg/kg) showed similar inhibitory effects in vivo. AEDKC concentration dependently suppressed the release of histamine and β-hexosaminidase through the reduction of intracellular calcium in mast cells. In addition, AEDKC decreased the expression and secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-4 by the reduction of nuclear factor-κB. The inhibitory potential of AEDKC (1 mg/mL) was similar with dexamethasone (10 μM) in vitro.

Conclusions: We suggest that AEDKC may be a potential candidate for the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared no potential conflicts of interest

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean Government (2014R1A5A2009242, 2012M3A9B6055416, and 2016R1A2B4008513).