ovalbumin and chelidonic-acid

The present study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of chelidonic acid, a secondary plant metabolite, with therapeutic potential in allergic disorders, in experimental animals. In mast cell degranulation studies, ovalbumin immunized and challenged rats, chelidonic acid (1, 3 and 10mg/kg, i.p.) dose relatedly prevented ovalbumin challenge induced mast cell degranulation by differing degrees when compared with vehicle treated group, and these effects were comparable with prednisolone (10mg/kg). A reduction in post-challenge mortality was also observed in all treated groups. Further, there were reductions in the blood eosinophil counts and serum IgE levels after chelidonic acid treatment. Chelidonic acid also inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) in vitro, in a dose related manner. In tests for adaptive immunity, in rats immunized with sheep RBC, chelidonic acid differentially suppressed the (a) plaque forming cell (PFC) count in rat splenic cells, (b) anti-SRBC antibody titre and serum IgG levels and (c) increases in foot pad thickness in the DTH assay - all of which were comparable with prednisolone. These experimental results are discussed in light of the possible therapeutic potential of chelidonic acid in allergic disorders.

Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Cell Degranulation; Cells, Cultured; Erythrocytes; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Histamine Release; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Immunologic Factors; Mast Cells; Ovalbumin; Pyrans; Rats, Wistar; Sheep; Spleen

Chelidonic acid (CA) is known as an inhibitor of the rat brain glutamate decarboxylase. However, the pharmacological effects of CA in allergic reactions have not yet been defined. Here, we show the effects and the mechanism of CA in the ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) model. CA significantly decreased the number of nasal/ear rubs and increment of IgE levels in the AR mice. The level of interferon-γ was enhanced while the level of IL-4 was reduced on the spleen tissue of the CA-administered AR mice. Expressions of IL-1β and cyclooxygenase-2 were inhibited by CA administration in the nasal mucosa tissues. Infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells was decreased in the CA-administered AR mice. Furthermore, CA decreased the caspase-1 activity in the same nasal mucosa tissue and human mast cell line, HMC-1. Our results indicate that CA may attenuate allergic reaction by inhibition of caspase-1 activity.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Caspase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Eosinophils; Female; Histamine Release; Immunoglobulin E; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-4; Mast Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nasal Mucosa; Ovalbumin; Pyrans; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Spleen