ovalbumin and ukrain

The ability of the Chelidonium majus L. alkaloid derivative Ukrain (UK) to inhibit ovalbumin-induced sensitization was tested in BALB/c and F1(BALB/c x C57BL/6J) mice. UK introduced into the mice in the mixture with antigen (ovalbumin) and adjuvant (alum) inhibited the sensitization of mice, reflected in lower anti-OA IgE antibody response and decreased antigen-induced histamine release from mast cells isolated from peritoneal cavities of sensitized mice. The effect of UK on the antigenicity of ovalbumin (OA) in anaphylaxis was tested in heterologous passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction on rats. The results show that the OA prepared in the mixture with UK had a decreased ability to react with anti-OA IgE antibodies raised against native OA in mice and fixed on the surface of rat mast cells in heterologous PCA reactions. The results suggest that UK pretreatment of OA may affect its antigenic property and the ability to react with anti-OA IgE antibodies raised against the native IgE molecules.

Topics: Alkaloids; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Antineoplastic Agents; Berberine Alkaloids; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Immunization; Immunoglobulin E; Mast Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Ovalbumin; Phenanthridines; Rats; Rats, Wistar

The ability of Chelidonium majus L. alkaloids derivative Ukrain to induce an anaphylactic sensitization was tested on mice and guinea pigs. The levels of IgE antibody in the mouse sera, and IgG1a, IgG1b as well as IgE antibody levels in guinea pig sera, were evaluated by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) tests. Ukrain alone or adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide gel (alum) introduced into BALB/c mice in several subcutaneous injections was unable to stimulate measurable anti-Ukrain IgE antibody response. Moreover, Ukrain introduced together with ovalbumin (OA) into mice in the course of immunization with OA induced lower anti-OA antibody response as compared to the response induced by OA alone. Ukrain adsorbed on alum and injected subcutaneously into guinea pigs did not induce measurable IgG1a, IgG1b and IgE antibody response. The present results suggest that the immunomodulating preparation Ukrain could be therapeutically safe at least as far its inability to induce anaphylaxis is concerned.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Alkaloids; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Berberine Alkaloids; Female; Guinea Pigs; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Phenanthridines