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

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.