Effect of Chicoric Acid on Mast Cell-Mediated Allergic Inflammation in Vitro and in Vivo

J Nat Prod. 2015 Dec 24;78(12):2956-62. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00668. Epub 2015 Nov 23.

Abstract

Chicoric acid (dicaffeoyl-tartaric acid), is a natural phenolic compound found in a number of plants, such as chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and analgesic activities. Although these biological effects of chicoric acid have been investigated, there are no reports of its antiallergic-related anti-inflammatory effects in human mast cells (HMC)-1 or anaphylactic activity in a mouse model. Therefore, we investigated the antiallergic-related anti-inflammatory effect of chicoric acid and its underlying mechanisms of action using phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Chicoric acid decreased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. We studied the inhibitory effects of chicoric acid on the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activation of caspase-1. However, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was not sufficient to abrogate the stimulus. In addition, we investigated the ability of chicoric acid to inhibit compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis in vivo. Oral administration of chicoric acid at 20 mg/kg inhibited histamine release and protected mice against compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic mortality. These results suggest that chicoric acid has an antiallergic-related anti-inflammatory effect that involves modulating mast cell-mediated allergic responses. Therefore, chicoric acid could be an efficacious agent for allergy-related inflammatory disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Histamine Release / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Interleukin-1beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Male
  • Mast Cells / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phorbol Esters / pharmacology
  • Succinates / pharmacology*
  • p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / pharmacology
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NF-kappa B
  • Phorbol Esters
  • Succinates
  • phorbol-12-myristate
  • p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Caspase 1
  • chicoric acid