[The comparative analysis of the spectrum of sensitization to food, pollen and fungal allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis].

The relevance of the study of psoriatic disease is due to the insufficient effectiveness of existing etiotropic and pathogenetic methods of treatment, which confirms the necessity to search for new approaches in the research of psoriasis, including those from the standpoint of etiopathogenesis. In the literature, there is information about the combination of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, which does not exclude a commonality of the causes and mechanisms leading to damage to the skin. The aim of the work was to study and conduct a comparative analysis of the sensitization spectrum of patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis to food, pollen and fungal allergens. Material and methods. A prospective study was conducted on patients with psoriasis (1st, n=20) and atopic dermatitis (2nd group, n=20) aged 18 to 57 years. A specific allergological examination was performed (collection of an allergological history, determination of the spectrum of sensitization to food, pollen and fungal allergens by prick testing). Statistical data processing was carried out by methods of variational analysis using the t-criterion for qualitative characteristics. Results and discussion. No statistically significant differences in sensitization to allergens of animal origin between the examined groups were detected. The sensitization to rice and soy was statistically significantly more often noted in patients with psoriasis, in comparison with patients with atopic dermatitis: 33.3 (n=6/18) vs 5.2% (n=1/19), p=0.03 and 66.7 (n=10/15) vs 29.4% (n=5/17), p=0.04. It was determined that sensitization to plant pollen allergens was statistically significantly more often detected in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to the group with psoriasis (72.5 vs 54.4%, p=0.02). It was noted that in the group of patients with psoriasis compared to the group of patients with atopic dermatitis, sensitization to fungi of the genus Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium notatum was more often, however, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion. Thus, in our study, we determined the presence of sensitization to food, pollen and fungal allergens not only in patients with atopic dermatitis, but also in psoriasis. So, sensitization to food and pollen allergens is more often determined in atopic dermatitis, and to some food and fungal allergens - in psoriasis. Preliminary prick testing guides us in further application of other methods of specific allergological diagnostics: elimination and provocative tests, and the appointment of personalized therapy.

Frequency and clinical features of pollen-food syndrome in children.

BACKGROUND: Pollen-food syndrome (PFS) is an allergic reaction to fresh fruits, vegetables and/or nuts that can occur in patients who are allergic to pollen. The prevalence of PFS in children is not clearly known. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical features of PFS in pediatric patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: This study was conducted in the pediatric allergy outpatient clinic of our hospital. Pollen-induced seasonal AR patients who were evaluated for any symptoms appearing after consuming any fresh fruits and vegetables. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-two pollen-sensitized patients were included in this study. The symptoms related to PFS were reported in 22 (3.3%) patients. The median age of the patients was 12.3 years and 59% (n=13) were female. Peach was the most common culprit (22%). There were isolated oropharyngeal symptoms in 20 (91%) patients and anaphylaxis in two (9%) patients with the suspected food. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, history of atopic dermatitis and allergic diseases in the family were the potential risk factors for PFS [Odds ratio 95%CI: 3.367 (1.344-8.435), 5.120 (1.935-13.550), 3.046 (1.239-7.492), respectively]. CONCLUSION: PFS can be seen in children who are followed up for pollen-induced AR. The symptoms of PFS are usually mild and transient. However, comprehensive evaluation of patients is important since serious systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis can also be observed.

Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS): A review of current available literature.

OBJECTIVE: Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a complex syndrome posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Our objective was to summarize the available literature regarding its prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search was performed to include English language articles with the following search terms: pollen food syndrome, pollen food allergy syndrome, PFAS, oral allergy syndrome, OAS, food anaphylaxis, food components. STUDY SELECTIONS: Human articles discussing PFAS. RESULTS: Varying reports have been made of the prevalence of PFAS, ranging from 4.7% to greater than 20% in children and 13% to 58% in adults. Prevalence varies widely by geographic region. PFAS is typically the results of class II food allergens (e.g. sensitized to anaeroallergen, but reaction occurs due to cross reactivity from a food allergen). Commonly these reactions are limited to the oropharynx due to the lability of the proteins causing the reaction. As multiple families of proteins with varying stability cause PFAS, severe systemic reactions are also possible, as anaphylactic shock has been documented in up to 1.7% of reactions. CONCLUSION: Pollen food allergy syndrome therefore cannot be dismissed as a benign food allergy, but it needs to be approached individually based on known risk factors.

Allergenicity assessment of Buchanania lanzan protein extract in Balb/c mice.

Tree nuts are among "Big Eight" and have been reported globally for causing allergy. Buchanania lanzan (Bl) is one of the major tree nuts consumed by Indian population. However, very little is known about B. lanzan's induced allergic manifestation. Therefore, evaluation of it's allergenic potential was undertaken. Bl-crude protein extract sensitized BALB/c mice sera were used to identify the allergic proteins by it's IgE binding capability. The major IgE binding proteins found with molecular weight of 11, 20, 23, 25, 48, 54, and 65 kDa. Specific IgE, specific IgG1, MCPT-1, PGD2 and histamine were assessed in mice sera. Enormous amount of mast cell infiltration was noted in different organs. The levels of Th1/Th2 transcription factors GATA-3, SOCS3 and STAT-6 were found upregulated, whereas T-bet was downregulated. Furthermore, elevated Th1/Th2 cytokine responses were observed in mice sera. All together, these reactions developed systemic anaphylaxis upon Bl-CPE challenge in sensitized BALB/c mice. In order to confirm the evidences obtained from the studies carried out in BALB/c, the investigation was extended to human subjects as well. Control subjects and allergic patients were subjected to skin prick test (SPT). Later sera collected from those positive to SPT along with controls were used for IgE immunoblotting. The study evaluated the allergic manifestation associated with Bl, and identified it's proteins attributing Bl-mediated allergy. This work may help in managing tree nuts mediated allergies especially due to Buchanania lanzan sensitization.

Dietary ω3 fatty acid exerts anti-allergic effect through the conversion to 17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid in the gut.

ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, but the immune-metabolic progression from dietary oil remains to be investigated. Here we identified 17,18-epoxyeicostetraenoic acid (17,18-EpETE) as an anti-allergic metabolite generated in the gut from dietary ω3 α-linolenic acid (ALA). Biochemical and imaging mass spectrometry analyses revealed increased ALA and its metabolites, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in the intestines of mice receiving ALA-rich linseed oil (Lin-mice). In murine food allergy model, the decreased incidence of allergic diarrhea in Lin-mice was due to impairment of mast cell degranulation without affecting allergen-specific serum IgE. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based mediator lipidomics identified 17,18-EpETE as a major ω3 EPA-derived metabolite generated from dietary ALA in the gut, and 17,18-EpETE exhibits anti-allergic function when administered in vivo. These findings suggest that metabolizing dietary ω3 PUFAs generates 17,18-EpETE, which is an endogenous anti-allergic metabolite and potentially is a therapeutic target to control intestinal allergies.

Is Low Vitamin D Status A Risk Factor For Food Allergy? Current Evidence And Future Directions.

Studies from several countries have reported an association between latitudes further from the equator and proxy markers of food allergy prevalence. As latitudes further from the equator are associated with lower sun exposure and vitamin D status (VDS), it has been proposed that low VDS may be a risk factor for food allergy. A range of basic science evidence supports the biological plausibility of this hypothesis; and recent work has identified a cross sectional association between low VDS and challenge proven food allergy in infants. Overall, however, the evidence regarding the relationship between VDS and food allergy remains controversial and the limited longitudinal data are discouraging. In this review we consider the evidence for and against low VDS as a risk factor for food allergy and discuss the possibility that other factors (including genetic variables) may contribute to the inconsistent nature of the available observational evidence. We then discuss whether genetic and/or environmental factors may modify the potential influence of VDS on food allergy risk. Finally, we argue that given the rising burden of food allergy, the balance of available evidence regarding the potential relevance of VDS to this phenomenon, and the inherent limitations of the existing observational data, there is a compelling case for conducting randomised clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of food allergy during early life.

Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D in Asthma and Allergy.

In recent years, low vitamin D status has been proposed as a putative risk factor for allergic diseases. A growing body of literature reports low vitamin D levels in atopic patients and supports an association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of adverse asthma and allergies outcomes. Therefore, it has been speculated that vitamin D supplementation may either prevent or reduce the risk of allergic diseases. Birth cohort studies addressing the role of vitamin D intake during pregnancy have shown conflicting results regarding allergy outcomes in offspring. Currently, only a few studies have tried to supplement vitamin D in asthmatic patients, often as an add-on therapy to standard asthma controller medications, and results are not all consistent. There is emerging data to show that vitamin D can enhance the antiinflammatory effects of glucocorticoids and potentially be used as adjuvant therapy in steroid-resistant asthma. Recent in vivo data suggest that vitamin D supplementation may also reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis. This review examines the existing relevant literature focusing on vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of allergic diseases.

Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), blue-green microalgae, has high content in proteins, γ-linoleic acid and vitamins and therefore gained popularity as food supplement. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Spirulina is also an interesting alternative and sustainable protein source with the growing world population. We present a case of a 17-year-old male, who developed anaphylaxis the first time he ingested a Spirulina tablet. Skin prick test with diluted Spirulina tablet was positive. Further skin prick testing with separated ingredients (Spirulina platensis algae, silicon dioxide, inulin and magnesium stearate) was only positive for Spirulina platensis algae and negative in controls, confirming the allergy was caused by Spirulina and not by one of the additives. This case report shows that diagnosis of Spirulina allergy can safely be made by skin prick test with dilutions of the A. platensis or even more simple by skin prick test with the diluted tablet. Since Spirulina has gained popularity as food and nutritional supplement, it is important to realize the potential risk of this dietary supplement. Before Spirulina is produced and consumed on a wider scale, allergenicity risk assessment should be performed, including investigation of potential crossreactivity with well-known inhalant allergens and foods.

Food allergy: diagnosis, management & emerging therapies.

IgE-mediated food allergy is an important health concern with increasing prevalence worldwide. Manifestations of IgE-mediated food allergy include urticaria, angioedema, pruritus, difficulty in breathing, laryngeal oedema, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or hypotension within minutes to two hours of the offending food's ingestion. Diagnosis requires both a careful history and supportive testing with laboratory studies and possibly oral food challenges. Current treatment of food allergy focuses on avoidance of the allergen and prompt emergency management of reactions. Epinephrine autoinjectors are provided to patients for the treatment of severe reactions. More research is needed to determine the optimal timing with which to introduce common allergens into a child's diet to possibly prevent the development of food allergy. Novel therapies are under investigation given the difficulty of allergen avoidance and the potentially fatal nature of reactions. Both allergen specific therapies such as oral, sublingual and epicutaneous immunotherapy and allergen non-specific therapies such the Chinese herbal formula FAHF-2 and omalizumab show promise though more data on efficacy and long-term safety are needed before these therapies become mainstream.

History of food allergy.

In this chapter we will first consider whether there is real evidence on the basis of literature for early descriptions in antiquity of pathogenic reactions after food intake that could be comparable to allergy, for instance in the scriptures of Hippocrates or Lucretius. On this topic we are skeptical, which is in agreement with the medical historian Hans Schadewaldt. We also assert that it is unlikely that King Richard III was the first food-allergic individual in medical literature. Most probably it was not a well-planned poisoning ('allergy') with strawberries, but rather a birth defect ('… his harm was ever such since his birth') that allowed the Lord Protector to bring Mylord of Ely to the scaffold in the Tower, as we can read in The History of King Richard III by Thomas More (1478-1535; published by his son-in-law, Rastell, in 1557). In 1912, the American pediatrician Oscar Menderson Schloss (1882-1952) was probably the first to describe scratch tests in the diagnosis of food allergy. Milestones in the practical diagnosis of food allergy are further discussed, including scratch tests, intradermal tests, modified prick tests and prick-to-prick tests. False-negative results can be attributed to the phenomenon of a 'catamnestic reaction' according to Max Werner (1911-1987), or to the fermentative degradation of food products. Prior to the discovery of immunoglobulin E, which marked a turning point in allergy diagnosis, and the introduction of the radioallergosorbent test in 1967, several more or less reliable techniques were used in the diagnosis of food allergy, such as pulse rate increase after food intake according to Coca, the leukopenic index, drop in basophils or drastic platelet decrease. The 'leukocytotoxic test' (Bryan's test), today called the 'ALCAT' test, shows no scientific evidence. The double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge test remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of food allergy. For the future, component-resolved diagnostics with the use of recombinant molecular allergens or chip arrays, such as the ISAC technique, hold a lot of promise. With regard to the clinical situation, a subjective selection is given, touching on the pollen-associated food allergies ('birch-mugwort-celery-spice syndrome'), as well as the new phenomenon of lethal food allergies that have appeared since the 1980s. Finally, rare ways of elicitation of a 'derivative allergy', first described by Erich Fuchs (1921-2008), for example by kissing, as well as 'oral allergy syndrome' and oral hyposensitization are considered.

Novel approaches to food allergy.

Food allergies have increased in recent decades. However, they cannot be effectively treated by the current management, which is limited to the identification and avoidance of foods that induce allergies and to the use of medicines for symptoms relief. To meet the medical need of prevention and cure of food allergies, several therapeutic strategies are under investigation. Some newly developed biologics such as anti-IgE antibody and anti-interleukin (IL)-5 antibody directed against significant molecules in the allergic process have shown their potential for the treatment of food allergies. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the therapy that induces immune tolerance and may reduce the need for conventional medication, severity of allergic symptoms and eliminate hypersensitivity. In this article, clinical studies of immunotherapy via subcutaneous, oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous routes are extensively reviewed for their safety and effectiveness on various food allergies. In addition, to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis and increase toleragenic immunity, many studies are focusing on the modification of traditional allergens used for immunotherapy. Moreover, a Chinese herbal formulation with potential anti-allergic effects is being evaluated for its efficacy in patients with peanut allergy. Although more studies are needed, accumulated data of current studies represent compelling evidence of curative effects of some strategies and give a hope that food allergies are likely to be successfully treated in the future.

Citrus allergy from pollen to clinical symptoms.

Allergy to citrus fruits is often associated with pollinosis and sensitization to other plants due to a phenomenon of cross-reactivity. The aims of the present study were to highlight the cross-reactivity among citrus and the major allergenic pollens/fruits, throughout clinical and molecular investigations, and to evaluate the sensitization frequency to citrus fruits in a population of children and adults with pollinosis. We found a relevant percentage of sensitisation (39%) to citrus fruits in the patients recruited and in all of them the IgE-mediated mechanism has been confirmed by the positive response to the prick-to-prick test. RT-PCR experiments showed the expression of Cit s 1, Cit s 3 and a profilin isoform, already described in apple, also in Citrus clementine pollen. Data of multiple sequence alignments demonstrated that Citrus allergens shared high percentage identity values with other clinically relevant species (i.e. Triticum aestivum, Malus domestica), confirming the possible cross-allergenicity citrus/grasses and citrus/apple. Finally, a novelty of the present work has been the expression of two phospholipaseA2 isoforms (PLA2 α and ß) in Citrus as well as in Triticum pollens; being PLA2 able to generate pro-inflammatory factors, this enzyme could participate in the activation of the allergenic inflammatory cascade.

[Immune state in lung of BALB/c mice with ovalbumin allergy and the effects of fulvotomentoside on lungs of mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immune state in lung of BALB/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA) allergy and the effects of fulvotomentoside (Ful) on lungs of the mice and provide some clues for the mechanism that patients with food allergies were prone to asthma and observe the effects of the treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. METHOD: Ninety-six female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. Mice in group 1 and group 2 were sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged intragastrically with OVA and were exposed to phosphate buffer solution and OVA respectively by nebulized inhalation. Mice in group 3 and group 4 were treated with Ful, other processes were the same as the mice in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Mice in group 5 were not challenged intragastrically with OVA and other processes were the same as the mice in group 2. Group 6 was the control group. The number of total leukocytes and cell classification in bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) were counted, and inflammatory characteristic of lung was scored by staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17A) in lung of the mice were detected by immunohistochemical method. The activation of neutrophils in lung was assayed by the level of myeloroxidase (MPO). RESULT: There was no inflammatory cells infiltration in lung of the mice in group 1. Compared with group 6, numbers of total leukocytes and erythrocytes as well as the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes were increased in group 2. Inflammatory score and protein expressions of TGF-ß1 [(75 437 ± 3 638) vs. (6 118 ± 1 978)], IL-6 [(121 650 ± 25 389) vs. (15 726 ± 9 360)], IL-17A [(252 105 ± 31 651)vs. (72 644 ± 12 285)] in lung were increased, too. Inflammatory score and TGF-ß1 (11 054 ± 1 468), IL-6 (50 877 ± 11 744), IL-17A (137 864 ± 28 986) expressions in group 5 were lower than those in group 2. Eosinophils infiltration was significant in group 5. After the treatment with Ful, TGF-ß1 expression did not change and IL-6, IL-17A expressions were decreased in lung of the mice that inhaled OVA. It was not enough for Ful to relieve the neutrophil aggregation and improve inflammatory reaction in lung. CONCLUSION: The expressions of TGF-ß1, IL-6, IL-17A in lung of the mice with OVA allergy were increased markedly after they inhaled specific antigen, which caused serious inflammation that was induced by neutrophil infiltration in lung. Ful could decrease the expressions of IL-6, IL-17A to some extent, but it was not enough to improve pathologic state in lung.

Prevention of birch pollen-related food allergy by mucosal treatment with multi-allergen-chimers in mice.

BACKGROUND: Among birch pollen allergic patients up to 70% develop allergic reactions to Bet v 1-homologue food allergens such as Api g 1 (celery) or Dau c 1 (carrot), termed as birch pollen-related food allergy. In most cases, specific immunotherapy with birch pollen extracts does not reduce allergic symptoms to the homologue food allergens. We therefore genetically engineered a multi-allergen chimer and tested if mucosal treatment with this construct could represent a novel approach for prevention of birch pollen-related food allergy. METHODOLOGY: BALB/c mice were poly-sensitized with a mixture of Bet v 1, Api g 1 and Dau c 1 followed by a sublingual challenge with carrot, celery and birch pollen extracts. For prevention of allergy sensitization an allergen chimer composed of immunodominant T cell epitopes of Api g 1 and Dau c 1 linked to the whole Bet v 1 allergen, was intranasally applied prior to sensitization. RESULTS: Intranasal pretreatment with the allergen chimer led to significantly decreased antigen-specific IgE-dependent ß-hexosaminidase release, but enhanced allergen-specific IgG2a and IgA antibodies. Accordingly, IL-4 levels in spleen cell cultures and IL-5 levels in restimulated spleen and cervical lymph node cell cultures were markedly reduced, while IFN-γ levels were increased. Immunomodulation was associated with increased IL-10, TGF-ß and Foxp3 mRNA levels in NALT and Foxp3 in oral mucosal tissues. Treatment with anti-TGF-ß, anti-IL10R or anti-CD25 antibodies abrogated the suppression of allergic responses induced by the chimer. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that mucosal application of the allergen chimer led to decreased Th2 immune responses against Bet v 1 and its homologue food allergens Api g 1 and Dau c 1 by regulatory and Th1-biased immune responses. These data suggest that mucosal treatment with a multi-allergen vaccine could be a promising treatment strategy to prevent birch pollen-related food allergy.

Effective induction of oral anaphylaxis to ovalbumin in mice sensitized by feeding of the antigen with aid of oil emulsion and salicylate.

It is important to evaluate the ability of novel proteins in food crops and products to elicit potentially harmful immunologic responses, including allergic hypersensitivity. We developed a novel mouse model of food allergy involving an oral challenge of a protein antigen after feeding of the antigen in combination with modulating factors often ingested in daily life, namely, dietary oil emulsion and salicylate. In the model, BALB/c mice were sensitized orally for three weeks with ovalbumin (OVA) in linoleic acid/lecithin emulsion, followed immediately by intraperitoneal injection of sodium salicylate. At the end of the sensitization, the incidence of mice positive for serum OVA-specific IgG1 but not IgE had significantly increased in the combined-sensitization group. After the 3-week sensitization, a single or double oral challenge with OVA effectively and significantly caused severe anaphylaxis, as compared with the groups sensitized with OVA in the emulsion or the vehicle alone. Moderate increase of plasma histamine and intestinal abnormality in histology was found only in the combined-sensitization group. Anaphylaxis symptoms in the sensitized mice were induced more by oral challenge than by intravenous challenge, suggesting a critical role for the mucosal system. This is the first model for successful induction of oral anaphylaxis in mice sensitized by feeding of food protein without adjuvant. It will be useful to elucidate the mechanism of food allergy and to detect modulating factors of oral allergy at sensitization using this model, which simulates real life conditions.

The two faces of mast cells in food allergy and allergic asthma: the possible concept of Yin Yang.

The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of mast cells in allergic inflammation. We have focused on inflammation associated with allergic asthma and food allergy. Mast cells are 'first line of defense' innate/adaptive immune cells and are widely distributed in tissues in surfaces exposed to the environment. Especially in allergic settings mast cells are extensively studied, as they can be activated to release a wide range of mediators by allergen-IgE specific triggers. In addition, in allergic inflammation mast cells can also be activated non-allergic triggers. Recent studies revealed that mast cells, besides the classical role of pro-inflammatory effector cell, have also emerged as modulators of allergic sensitization and down-regulators of allergic inflammation. Therefore, mast cells can be regarded as 'Ying Yan' modulators in allergic responses in intestinal tract and airways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mast Cells in Inflammation.

Food allergy herbal formula 2 protection against peanut anaphylactic reaction is via inhibition of mast cells and basophils.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells and basophils are key effector cells of IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. The Chinese herbal formula, food allergy herbal formula 2 (FAHF-2), protects against peanut anaphylaxis in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether FAHF-2 inhibits mast cell/basophil numbers and IgE-mediated activation. METHODS: Mice with peanut allergy (PNA mice) were treated with FAHF-2 intragastrically for 7 weeks and challenged intragastrically with peanut 1 day and 4 weeks posttreatment. Peripheral blood basophil numbers and peritoneal mast cell numbers and FcεRI expression were determined. Direct effects of FAHF-2 on the murine mast cell line MC/9, and effects of 4 fractions and 3 compounds isolated from FAHF-2 on rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) and human skin mast cells degranulation and on the IgE-mediated spleen tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, were determined. RESULTS: Although all sham-treated PNA mice developed anaphylaxis, FAHF-2-treated PNA mice were protected against anaphylaxis after peanut challenge at 1 day and 4 weeks posttherapy. Reduction of peripheral blood basophils began after 1 week of treatment and continued for at least 4 weeks posttherapy. The number and FcεRI expression of peritoneal mast cells were also significantly decreased 4 weeks posttherapy. FAHF-2-treated MC/9 cells showed significantly reduced IgE-induced FcεRI expression, FcεRI γ mRNA subunit expression, proliferation, and histamine release on challenge. Fraction 2 from FAHF-2 inhibited RBL-2H3 cell and human mast cell degranulation. Three compounds from fraction 2-berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine-inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation via suppressing spleen tyrosine kinase phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Food allergy herbal formula 2 reduction of basophils and mast cell numbers as well as suppression of IgE-mediated mast cell activation may contribute to FAHF-2's persistent protection against peanut anaphylaxis.

Pentagalloylglucose down-regulates mast cell surface FcepsilonRI expression in vitro and in vivo.

Mast cell activation by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated stimuli is a central event in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. The present report shows that treatment with pentagalloylglucose (PGG) resulted in a down-regulation of FcepsilonRI surface expression on mucosal-type murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (mBMMCs), which correlated with a reduction in IgE-mediated activation of mBMMCs. Furthermore, PGG prevented development of allergic diarrhea in a food-allergy mouse model and suppressed the up-regulated FcepsilonRI surface expression on mast cells derived from the food-allergy mouse colon. These findings on PGG suggest its therapeutic potential for allergic diseases through suppressing the FcepsilonRI surface expression.