| Summary: | Mast cells are effector cells that initiate allergic inflammatory immune responses by inducing inflammatory mediators. <i>Boehmeria nivea</i> (Linn.) Gaudich is a natural herb in the nettle family Urticaceae that possesses numerous pharmacological properties. Despite the various pharmacological benefits of <i>Boehmeria nivea</i>, its effects on allergic inflammation have not yet been determined. Here, we investigated the effect of the ethanol extract of <i>Boehmeria nivea</i> (BNE) on degranulation rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells stimulated with anti-dinitrophenyl (anti-DNP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) during immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic immune response. The results showed inhibition of the release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine from the cells. BNE suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6) and reduced T helper (Th)2 cytokine IL-4 expression and/or secretion correlated with the downregulation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in treated RBL-2H3 mast cells. In passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, treatment with BNE during IgE-mediated local allergic reaction triggered a reduction in mouse ear pigmentation and thickness. Taken together, these results indicated that BNE suppressed mast cell-mediated inflammation, suggesting that BNE might be a candidate for the treatment of various allergic disorders.
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