Formononetin ameliorates mast cell‑mediated allergic inflammation via inhibition of histamine release and production of pro‑inflammatory cytokines

Various allergic diseases cause allergic inflammation, which is mediated by mast cells. The current study investigated the anti‑allergic inflammatory effects of formononetin and its mechanism of action in vitro using mast cells. Levels of histamine and pro‑inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑6, were measured to assess the effects of formononetin on allergic inflammation. The activation of intracellular calcium and nuclear factor (NF)‑κB, as well as the activity of caspase‑1, were assessed to determine the mechanism of action. It was determined that difference concentrations of formononetin (0.1, 1 and 10 µM) suppressed histamine release and secretion of TNF‑α, IL‑1β and IL‑6. Further investigations indicated that the effects of formononetin were associated with a reduction of intracellular calcium, suppression of NF‑κB activation and upstream IκKα phosphorylation and inhibition of caspase‑1 activity. Therefore, the results of the current study demonstrated that formononetin ameliorated mast cell‑mediated allergic inflammation.