Pinus koraiensis needle or cone extracts alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by regulating immunity and suppressing inflammation in HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice.

Pinus koraiensis needles (PKN) and cones (PKC) have been shown to protect against inflammation and pathogenic bacteria. We investigated the efficacies and action mechanisms of topical applications of 1,3-butylene glycol (BG) extracts and oral administration of their water extracts on atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms. After exposing HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice dorsal skins to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce atopic dermatitis models, they were topically applied BG (AD-control), 30% PKNX, or 30% PKCX to the skin lesions and fed water extracts (0.5%) in high-fat diets for 5 weeks. Normal-control mice had no DNCB exposure. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-4, and TNF-α levels and gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ in the dorsal skin and HaCaT cells were measured. The AD-control mice elevated TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels in HaCaT cells. Both extracts attenuated clinical AD symptoms in AD-induced Nc/Nga mice: PKNX improved hemorrhage, erythema, and lichenification of dorsal skin better than PKCX while both similarly alleviated erythema, edema, excoriation, and itching behavior. PKCX reduced IgE contents and increased filaggrin mRNA expression better than PKNX, but PKNX reduced lipid peroxides and mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-4 in the dorsal skin. In the histological analysis of the dorsal skin, the administration of both extracts significantly decreased mast cell numbers, immune cell infiltration, gaps between the epidermis and dermis, and abnormal cell and nucleus shapes. In conclusion, both PKCX and PKNX treatment alleviated the DNCB-induced clinical symptoms of AD by alleviating immune-related symptoms and inflammation in partially different pathways. Therefore, PKNX and PKCX may be effective for AD therapy. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to an overly activated immune response, and it has steadily increased last 3 decades. However, no optimal sustainable treatments are available. Pinus koraiensis needles and cones extracts have been used for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment. The present study demonstrated that their intake and topical administration onto the AD lesion alleviated clinical AD symptoms associated with reduced proinflammatory cytokines, mast cell numbers, and immune cell infiltrates to maintain dermal structure with maintaining filaggrin expression in AD-induced HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice. These results suggested that Pinus koraiensis needles and cones extracts can be developed and applied as beneficial alternative therapies for AD.

Effect of kaempferol on IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in C57BL/6 mice and LAD2 cells.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated mast cell (MC) activation is crucial in multiple allergic diseases. Parkinson disease protein 7 (DJ-1) and Lyn kinase were reported as the receptor-proximal events in IgE receptor (FcεRI) signals in human MC. Kaempferol, a natural flavonol mainly derived from the rhizome of traditional Chinese herb Kaempferia galanga L. (Zingiberaceae), has been known to inhibit allergic reactions, but it was limited to the receptor-distal signals on rat basophilic leukemia cells. A thorough investigation of the inhibitory effects of kaempferol on human MC has not been done. PURPOSE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of kaempferol on IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in vivo and in human MCs, as well as the mechanism underlying its effects, especially the receptor-proximal signals. METHODS: IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and systemic anaphylaxis model were applied to elucidate the antiallergic activity of kaempferol in vivo. The degranulation assay, calcium imaging, the release of cytokines and chemokines on the laboratory of allergic disease 2 (LAD2) cells were used to evaluate the antiallergic effect of kaempferol in vitro. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the DJ-1/Lyn signaling pathway and downstream molecules. Kinase activity assay, immunofluorescence, and molecular docking were conducted to confirm the influence of kaempferol on DJ-1/Lyn molecules. RESULTS: Kaempferol dose-dependently attenuated ovalbumin/IgE-induced mice paw swelling, primary MC activation from paw skin, as well as rehabilitated the hypothermia, and reduced the serum concentrations of histamine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1. Additionally, kaempferol suppressed IgE-mediated LAD2 cell degranulation and calcium fluctuation. Remarkably, kaempferol was found to bind with DJ-1 protein, and initially prevented DJ-1 from translocating to the plasma membrane, thereby inhibited full activation of Lyn, and eventually restrained those receptor-distal signaling molecules, involved Syk, Btk, PLCγ, IP3R, PKC, MAPKs, Akt and NF-κB. CONCLUSION: Kaempferol could be used as a DJ-1 modulator for preventing MC-mediated allergic disorders through attenuating Lyn activation.

Modifying the infant's diet to prevent food allergy.

Recommendations and guidelines on the prevention of food allergy have changed in recent decades. The aim of this review of the current evidence and ongoing studies is to provide a comprehensive and up to date picture of prevention of food allergy for healthcare professionals. The review was undertaken as part of the European Union funded Integrated Approaches to Food Allergy and Allergen Management (iFAAM) study. This is a wide ranging project bringing together expertise across the breadth of food allergy research. Specifically, the review discusses dietary manipulation in food allergy prevention, and covers the possible preventive strategies of allergen avoidance, early allergen introduction, general nutrition and supplements, as well as other strategies, such as prebiotics and probiotics. The review concludes that despite agreement that allergen avoidance strategies should not be undertaken for allergy prevention, there is currently no consensus regarding what actions should be recommended beyond exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4-6 months of life. Recent and upcoming trial results, which are detailed in this review, should help inform the debate and add clarity to the topic.

Alergia al polen de las oleáceas en un lugar donde no hay olivos / Oleaceae pollen allergy in a place where there’s no olive trees

Antecedentes y objetivos: El polen del fresno (Fraxinus excelsior), árbol perteneciente a la familia Oleaceae, se ha descrito recientemente como un alérgeno relevante en algunos países centroeuropeos. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la importancia que este polen tiene como factor desencadenante de los síntomas alérgicos que sufren, al final del invierno y principio de la primavera, algunos pacientes que viven en País Vasco, donde no existen olivos pero el fresno es un árbol abundante. Métodos: Se seleccionaron 48 pacientes que se clasificaron en tres grupos en función de la sensibilización predominante: pacientes alérgicos a oleáceas (O), alérgicos a gramíneas (G) y alérgicos a ambos pólenes (M). Los pacientes se dividieron además en dos grupos en función de la época en la que tenían los síntomas: pacientes con síntomas tempranos o pacientes con síntomas tardíos. Se les realizó la prueba del prick con una batería de pólenes, pruebas de exposición conjuntival con extractos de polen de olivo y de fresno y la determinación de IgE específica (EAST) frente a varios pólenes. Resultados: En el grupo O, el 100% de los pacientes tuvo síntomas tempranos, esto es, coincidiendo con la floración del fresno y antes de aparecer el polen de las gramíneas. En los grupos M y G los porcentajes de pacientes con síntomas tempranos fueron del 40% y 16%, respectivamente. Las pruebas de provocación conjuntival con polen de olivo y fresno resultaron positivos en el 100% y 70%, respectivamente, de los pacientes del grupo O, en el 78% y 50% del grupo M y en el 58% y 31% del grupo G. Los pacientes con síntomas tempranos tuvieron con mayor frecuencia pruebas cutáneas positivas frente al polen de F. excelsior (p < 0,05) y unas concentraciones de IgE específica frente a F. excelsior significativamente mayores (p < 0,05) que los pacientes con síntomas tardíos. Las pruebas de provocación conjuntival con polen de O. europaea fueron de mayor intensidad en los pacientes con síntomas tempranos. Conclusión: Los pacientes que residen en País Vasco y sufren síntomas durante el final del invierno y el comienzo de la primavera tenían una sensibilización predominante al polen del fresno y del olivo, en comparación con los pacientes que únicamente tenían síntomas tardíos (en mayo y junio). El polen del fresno puede considerarse una posible causa de polinosis en aquellos lugares donde su presencia es frecuente

Background: Ash tree belongs to the Oleaceae family; it has been recently described as a relevant allergen in some countries. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of the ash pollen as a triggering factor of the allergic symptoms showed in early spring by a group of patients who live in the Basque Country, where ash are common trees and olive trees are not present. Methods: In accordance with their predominantly sensitisation we selected and classified 48 pollen-allergic-patients in three groups: oleaceae allergic patients (O), grass allergic patients (G) and oleaceae + grass allergic patients (M). Patients were also divided in two groups depending on the season when they showed the symptoms: patients with early or late symptoms respectively. Skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE (EAST) to Olea, Fraxinus and Lolium, patient’s scores of symptoms and rescue medication between February and July 2000, and conjunctival challenge tests with ash and olive pollen extracts were performed. Results: 100% of O patients, 40% of M patients and 16% of G patients suffered from early symptoms, coinciding with the flowering of ash, when grass pollen is not present yet. Conjunctival challenge tests with ash and olive pollen extracts were positive in 70% and 100% respectively in O patients, 50% and 78% in M patients and 31% and 58% in G patients. Conjunctival challenge tests in patients who suffered from early symptoms with olive extract were positive with lower concentrations of the extract. The patients with early symptoms had a higher rate of positive SPT with ash pollen (p < 0,05) and had significant higher levels of specific IgE to F. excelsior pollen (p < 0,05) than late symptomatic patients. Conjunctival challenge test to O. europaea pollen produced more symptoms to patients with early symptoms. Conclusion: Patients living in the Basque Country and suffering from symptoms during early spring had a predominant sensitisation to ash and olive pollen compared to those patients showing only late symptoms. Ash pollen can be considered as a potentially cause of hay fever in these areas where it is present in considerable amounts

Occupational asthma due to IgE mediated allergy to the flower Molucella laevis (Bells of Ireland).

BACKGROUND: About 25% of greenhouse flower and/or ornamental plant growers sensitised to workplace flowers or moulds have occupational asthma, a disease that is suffered by 8% of the growers who cultivate these crops. AIM: To document a case of occupational asthma due to IgE mediated allergy to the flower Molucella laevis. METHODS: and RESULTS: There was a history of work related seasonal asthmatic and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in a Molucella laevis grower. Bronchial obstruction following exposure to Molucella laevis was documented by a fall in FEV(1) from 89% to 73% of predicted during seasonal exposure to Molucella laevis. Daily PEF measurements showed a fall from 500 to 250 l/min during this period following withdrawal of inhaled steroids. Bronchial reactivity to inhaled methacholine was increased (PC(20) 1.45 mg/ml). Confirmation of sensitisation to Molucella laevis flower pollen extract was done using an SPT and by demonstration of Molucella laevis specific serum IgE (18 IU/ml; class 4). Specific inhalation challenge with Molucella laevis extract provoked an early and late asthmatic reaction (EAR and LAR) with a fall in FEV(1) compared with control day of 40% and 53% respectively, with associated 5.1-fold increase in absolute sputum eosinophil cell counts and 2.9-fold increase in neutrophil cell counts.

Effect of Phlomis umbrosa root on mast cell-dependent immediate-type allergic reactions by anal therapy.

The effect of aqueous extract of Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. (Labiatae) root (PUAE) on mast cell-dependent immediate-type allergic reaction by anal therapy was investigated. PUAE (0.01 to 1 g/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80 in mice. When PUAE was pretreated at the same concentrations with systemic anaphylaxis, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. PUAE (0.1 and 1 g/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylaxis activated by anti-DNP IgE. PUAE (0.001 to 1 mg/mL) dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in human mast cells (HMC-1 cells) when PUAE (1 mg/mL) was added, transiently and significantly increased compared with that of basal cells. In addition, PUAE (0.1 and 1 mg/mL) inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These results provide evidence that anal therapy of PUAE may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic diseases.

Lavender oil inhibits immediate-type allergic reaction in mice and rats.

We studied the effects of lavender oil on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in mice and rats. Lavender oil (1:500, 1:100, 1:10, 1:1, 1:0) inhibited concentration-dependently mast cell-dependent ear swelling response induced by compound 48/80 in mice by both topical and intradermal application. Lavender oil (1:500, 1:100, 1:10, 1:1, 1:0) inhibited concentration-dependently passive cutaneous anaphylaxis induced by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE in rats by both topical and intradermal application. Lavender oil (1:500, 1:100, 1:10, 1:1, 1:0) also inhibited concentration-dependently the histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. Moreover, lavender oil (1:1000, 1:100, 1:10, 1:0) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion from peritoneal mast cells. These results indicate that lavender oil inhibits immediate-type allergic reactions by inhibition of mast cell degranulation in-vivo and in-vitro.