Inhibitory effect of phytoglycoprotein (24 kDa) on allergy-related factors in compound 48/80-induced mast cells in vivo and in vitro

Mast cells are involved in immediate allergic reactions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Allergic reactions caused by extracellular allergens such as xenobiotics may become a critical problem in living circumstances. Recently, we isolated and purified glycoprotein from Zanthoxylum piperitum DC fruit (ZPDC), and demonstrated that ZPDC glycoprotein (5–20 mg/kg, 25–100 μg/ml) has an inhibitory effect on allergy-related mediators in the compound 48/80-treated BALB/c and human mast cells (HMC-1 cells). Our results obtained from this study showed that ZPDC glycoprotein (10 mg/kg) inhibited interleukin-4 (IL-4), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and histamine are released in mouse serum. Also, ZPDC glycoprotein (50 μg/ml) attenuated the degranulation of mast cells, intracellular Ca2+ levels, and the activities of phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p50 and p65), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the HMC-1 cells. Taken together, we speculate that the ZPDC glycoprotein might be one component found in natural products that has the ability to prevent dysfunction in the immune system caused by several different allergens.