ABSTRACT
Objective: To screen the small molecular compounds with anti-asthma activity from Psoralea corylifolia monomor and explain its regulation mechanism. Methods: Based on the effect of IL-4 in pathological features of masthma, a high throughput screening system was designed by using 4get mice and flow cytometry to inhibit IL-4 production so as to anti-asthma. Results: Compared with DMSO group, isobavachalcone showed high ability of inhibiting IL-4 production in Th2 cells (P < 0.001), down-regulating GATA-3 expression (P < 0.01), and decreasing the level of STAT6 phosphorylation (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Isobavachalcone could inhibit the IL-4 production through down-regulating the GATA-3 expression by controling the level of STAT6 phosphorylation. Isobavachalcone is a potential drug for the treatment of asthma.