Prunus serrulata var. spontanea inhibits mast cell activation and mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis

Ethnopharmacological relevance: A promising approach to treat a variety of diseases are considered as complementary and alternative herbal medicines. Prunus serrulata var. spontanea L. (Rosaceae) is used as herbal medicine to treat allergic diseases according to the Donguibogam, a tradition medical book of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Aim of the study: We prepared the aqueous extract of the bark of P. serrulata (AEBPS) and aimed to investigate the effects in mouse anaphylaxis models and various types of mast cells, including RBL-2H3, primary cultured peritoneal and bone marrow-derived mast cells. Materials and methods: We used ovalbumin (OVA)-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) and immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) models, in vivo. The control drug dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) was used to compare the effectiveness of AEBPS (1–100 mg/kg). In vitro, IgE-stimulated mast cells were used to confirm the role of AEBPS (1–100 μg/mL). For statistical analyses, p values less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: In ASA model, oral administration of AEBPS suppressed the hypothermia and increased level of serum histamine in a dose-dependent manner. AEBPS attenuated the serum IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and interleukin (IL)-4. Oral administration of AEBPS also blocked mast cell-dependent PCA. AEBPS suppressed degranulation of mast cells by reducing intracellular calcium level in mast cells. AEBPS inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-4 expression and secretion in a concentration-dependent manner through the reduction of nuclear factor-κB. Conclusions: On the basis of these findings, AEBPS could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the management of mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and as a regulator of mast cell activation.