Phytother Res. 2001 Nov; 15(7): 572-6.

Inhibitory effect on immunoglobulin E production in vivo and in vitro by Siegesbeckia glabrescens.

Kim HM, Lee JH, Won JH, Park EJ, Chae HJ, Kim HR, Kim CH, Baek SH.

Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Center of Oriental Medicinal Science, Wonkwang University, Sukjang-Dong, 707, Kyung-Ju City, Kyungpook 780-714, South Korea. hmkim@wonkwang.ac.kr

Elevated levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E are associated with immediate-type allergic reactions. The effect of an aqueous extract of Siegesbeckia glabrescens (Compositae) whole plants (SGWP) on in vivo and in vitro IgE production was studied in mice. SGWP dose-dependently inhibited the active systemic anaphylaxis and serum IgE production induced by immunization with ovalbumin and Bordetella pertussis toxin absorbed to aluminium hydroxide gel. SGWP dose-dependently inhibited IL-4-dependent IgE production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine whole spleen cells. In the case of U266 human IgE-bearing B cells, SGWP also showed an inhibitory effect on IgE production. These results suggest that SGWP has an anti-allergic activity by inhibiting IgE production from B cells.Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.