Alleviation of allergic rhinitis symptoms with Pyeongwee-San extract (KMP6)

Abstract

Context: Allergy is characterized by the overreaction of the immune system. Pyeongwee-San is a traditional Korean medicine which has been used for the treatment of the allergic disorder but the mechanism of action is not clear.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Pyeongwee-San extract (KMP6) and its component, hesperidin (HES) in the allergic rhinitis (AR) animal model.

Method: We sensitized mice on 1, 5, and 14 days by intraperitoneal injections of 100 μg ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified in 20 mg of aluminum hydroxide and we challenged mice with 1.5 mg OVA. Mice received KMP6 and HES before the intranasal OVA challenge for 10 days.

Results: The number of nose rubs after the OVA challenge in the OVA-sensitized mice was significantly higher than that in the OVA-unsensitized mice. The increased number of nose rub was inhibited by the oral administration of KMP6 or HES. The increased levels of IgE and histamine level in serum of the OVA-sensitized mice were reduced by KMP6 or HES administration. The level of interferon-γ was enhanced while the level of IL-4 was reduced on the spleen tissue of the KMP6 or HES-administered AR mice. Inflammatory proteins level was reduced by KMP6 or HES administration in the nasal mucosa tissue of the OVA-sensitized mice. In the KMP6 or HES-administered mice, mast cells and eosinophils infiltration increased by OVA-sensitization was decreased.

Conclusion: These results indicate that KMP6 and HES ameliorate the allergic inflammatory reactions such as AR.

Keywords::

• KMP6
• allergic rhinitis
• macrophage-inflammatory protein-2
• intercellular adhesion molecule-1
• cyclooxygenase-2