Anti-allergic properties of Cissampelos sympodialis and its isolated alkaloid warifteine

Development of new agents capable of regulating eosinophilic inflammation can uncover novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of allergic diseases, such as asthma. Here, we evaluated the anti-allergic properties of an extract of the Brazilian Menispermaceae Cissampelos sympodialis, focusing on its effects on allergic eosinophilia. By studying two models of allergic inflammation, an asthma model and the allergic pleurisy in actively sensitized Balb/c mice, we observed that the oral pre-treatment with C. sympodialis reduced pleural eosinophil influx triggered by allergen challenge in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism involved in C. sympodialis inhibitory effect appeared to be independent of a direct effect on eosinophil locomotory machinery, but depend on a blockage of eotaxin production, a key eosinophil chemoattractant with important roles in allergic reactions. C. sympodialis was also able to affect eosinophil activation, as attested by its ability of inhibiting formation of new cytoplasmic lipid bodies and the secretion of cysteinyl leukotrienes. The alkaloid warifteine isolated from the C. sympodialis extract represents an active component responsible for the anti-eosinophilic effects of the extract, since warifteine was able to reproduce C. sympodialis inhibitory effects on allergic eosinophilia and cysteinyl leukotrienes production. Of interest, C. sympodialis and warifteine post-treatments also effectively inhibited eosinophilic reaction observed after allergic challenge. Therefore, C. sympodialis/warifteine may be a promising anti-allergic therapy, inasmuch as it presents potent anti-eosinophil and anti-leukotrienes activities.