bakkenolide-b and Asthma

To elucidate the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of Petasites genus, we studied the effects of several compounds isolated from Petasites japonicas leaves.. Bakkenolide B was isolated from Petasites japonicus leaves. Antigen-induced degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 mast cells by measuring β-hexosamidase activity. Induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 was measured by Western blotting in peritoneal macrophages. Ovalbumin-induced asthma model was used for in vivo efficacy test of bakkanolide B.. We found that bakkenolide B, a major component of the leaves, concentration-dependently inhibited RBL-2H3 mast cell degranulation. Bakkenolide B also inhibited the gene inductions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model, bakkenolide B strongly inhibited the accumulation of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.. Bakkenolide B has suppressive properties for allergic and inflammatory responses and may be utilized as a potent agent for the treatment of asthma.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antigens; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cell Count; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Cyclooxygenase 2; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Ovalbumin; Petasites; Phytotherapy; Plant Leaves; Rats; Sesquiterpenes