Amaranthus spinosus Linn. inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions

Abstract

The current study characterizes the mechanism by which the Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae) decreases mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions. Anaphylaxis is a typical hypersensitivity Type I reaction, sharing common mechanisms with asthma in its early and late phases. Mast cells are key as effector cells in hypersensitivity Type I reactions. A. spinosus has been traditionally used in the treatment of allergic bronchitis and asthma, but its role in mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions has not fully been investigated. This report investigated the potential effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of A. spinosus leaves (EAFAS) against a Compound 48/80 (potent secretagogue)-induced systemic anaphylactic shock paradigm in a mouse model. In addition, rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) were used in in vitro studies to investigate the effect of EAFAS on Compound 48/80-induced peritoneal mast cell degranulation and histamine release. When administration by the oral route—1 h before Compound 48/80 injection—EAFAS (at dose from 0.001–1 g/kg) completely inhibited the induced anaphylactic shock. EAFAS at concentrations ranging 0.25–1 mg/ml dose-dependently attenuated rates of mast cell degranulation and histamine release from RPMC that were evoked by Compound 48/80. The results of the present investigation indicated that EAFAS stabilizes the mast cell lipid bilayer membrane, thereby preventing the perturbation of membrane and the release of histamine. As a result of these anti-degranulating and anti-histaminic effects, it can be suggested that EAFAS may have a potential use in the prophylaxis and management of anaphylactic reactions.