• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.404-409
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• 2006

Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh) has been used as therapeutics for pain and inflammation in Korean folk medicine. The potential effects of cimicifuga racemosa extract on mast cell dependent allergy reaction, however, have not been well elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cimicifuga racemosa extract on the allergy reaction using mast cell dependent in vivo and in vitro models. The oral administration of cimicifuga racemosa extract showed inhibitory potential on the compound 48/80 induced active systemic anaphylactic shock. cimicifuga racemosa extract also significantly inhibited the anti DNP IgE induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction and acetic acid induced vascular permeability. In addition, cimicifuga racemosa extract inhibited the beta hexosaminidase release and TNF alpha and IL 4 mRNA induction by DNP HSA in rat leukemia mast cells, RBL 2H3. but cimicifuga racemosa extract didn't affected to RBL 2H3 cell viability. These results demonstrated that cimicifuga racemosa extract has an anti allergic potential and it may be due to the inhibition of histamine release and cytokine gene expression in the mast cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.4 s.135
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• pp.318-323
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• 2003

Extracts of Black cohosh (Cimicifugae rhizoma) have been used for the treatment of climacteric complaints for decades. A significant number of woman entering menopause exhibit the following symptoms: getting hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, depression, and anxiety, A reduction of the frequency of hot flushes equivalents and hints on the antidepressant activity of Cimcifuga extracts. In the present work, we have screened several 80% ethanol extracts from medicinal plants and found that the extracts from Cimicifugae Rhizoma(Black cohosh:승마) have inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion in bovine chromaffin cell. Since this extract inhibited 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP)-induced catecholamine secretion, but did not inhibit KCl, bradykinin, and veratridine-evoked case, this inhibitory effect is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with noncompetitive manner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.51-51
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• 2003

The medicinal plant Cimicifuga Racemosa (Black cohosh) has been used to treat many kinds of neuronal and menopausal symptoms, such as arthritis, menopausal depression, nerve pain, etc. Here, we examined the effect of Cimicifugoside (CF), one of triterpene glycosides which have been known as pharmacologically active ingredients of C. Racemosa, on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-mediated catecholamine (CA) secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cell. Cimicifugoside inhibited calcium increase induced by 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP), a nAChR agonist with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 18${\pm}$2${\mu}$M. In contrast, cimicifugoside did not affect the calcium increases evoked by high K$\^$+/, veratridine, and bradykinin. The DMPP-induced sodium increase was also inhibited by cimicifugoside with IC50 of 2${\pm}$0.3${\mu}$M, suggesting that the activity of nAChRs is inhibited by cimicifugoside. Cimicifugoside did not effect on the KCl-induced secretion but markedly inhibited the DMPP-induced catecholamine secretion which was monitored by carbon-fiber amperometry in real time, and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) through electrochemical detection. The results suggest that cimicifugoside selectively inhibits nAChR-mediated response in bovine chromaffin cells.