OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect of spirulina platensis in allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Ovalbumin sensitized white rats used as AR animals were treated with spirulina platensis (SPP). At the end of the treatment, the differences in the behavior science were observed; the changes in the nasal mucosa and mast cell degranulation were studied pathologically; and the levels of serum histamine and total immunoglobulin (Ig) E were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. RESULTS: The behavior science score of the SPP treatment group was lower than that of the negative control group (P < 0.01 ) ; inflammatory reaction of nasal mucosa in the SPP treatment group were remarkably relieved; the number of nasal mucosa mastocyte and mast cell degranulation in the SPP treatment group were lower than that of the negative control group (P <0.01 ). The levels of serum histamine and total IgE in the SPP treatment group were lower than that of the negative control group (P <0.01 ). It had no significant difference in the positive control group and the SPP treatment group and the blank control group (P > 0.05 ). CONCLUSION Spirulina platensis can prevent and treat AR in rats, which implies the possibility of using spirulina platensis for AR patients in the future.
Animals ; Eukaryota ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

PURPOSE: The study aims to classify schools based on traffic pollutants and their complex sources, to assess the environment, to determine the state of allergic diseases among students using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in children (ISAAC) questionnaire, and to assess their connection to air pollutants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of seven schools were divided into three categories according to the characteristics of their surrounding environments: three schools in traffic-related zones, two schools in complex source zones I (urban), and two schools in complex source zones II (industrial complex). ISAAC questionnaires were administered and the 4404 completed questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of asthma treatment during the past 12 months showed a significant increase (p<0.05) with exposure to NO2 [1.67, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.03-2.71] in the complex source zones. The frequency of allergic rhinitis treatment during the past 12 months increased significantly with exposure to Black Carbon (1.60, 95% CIs 1.36-1.90) (p<0.001), SO2 (1.09, 95% CIs 1.01-1.17) (p<0.05), NO2 (1.18, 95% CIs 1.07-1.30) (p<0.01) for all subjects. CONCLUSION: In terms of supporting children's health, care, and prevention related to major spaces for children, such as school zones, spaces used in coming to and leaving school, playgrounds, and classrooms are essential to ensuring not only the safety of children from traffic accidents but also their protection from local traffic pollutants and various hazardous environmental factors.
Adolescent ; Air Pollutants/*adverse effects ; Air Pollution/*adverse effects ; Asthma/chemically induced/*epidemiology/*etiology ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Schools ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vehicle Emissions/analysis/toxicity

Occupational asthma is induced by many agents, including herbal materials, that are exposed in working places. Although there are a few case reports for occupational allergy induced by herbal materials, there is none for that induced by Wonji (Polygala tenuifolia). This study was conducted to evaluate clinical characteristics and immunologic mechanism of Wonji-induced asthma in a exposed-worker. A patient who complained of asthma and rhinitis symptoms, and who had worked in a herbal manufacturing factory for 8 yr, underwent a skin prick test with crude extract of Wonji under the impression of occupational asthma induced by the agent. The patient had a strong positive response to the extract on the skin prick test. Allergen bronchial challenge to the extract demonstrated a typical dual response. Serum specific IgE level to the extract was higher in the patient than in healthy controls, and ELISA inhibition test revealed complete inhibition of IgE binding with the extract, but no inhibition with Der p 2 or mugwort extracts. Six IgE binding components to the extract (10, 25, 28, 36, 50, and 90 kDa) were detected using SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis. These findings suggest that Polygala tenuifolia, a herbal material, can induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in exposed workers.
Allergens ; Asthma/*chemically induced ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E/chemistry ; Male ; *Medicine, Herbal ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Pollen/chemistry ; Polygala/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Rhinitis/*chemically induced ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the effect of Biminne on allergic rhinitis (AR) was through improving vascular permeability of nasal mucosa.

METHODSRat's model in Biminne-treated group and model group was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide gel suspension Biminne-treated rats were orally given Biminne suspension from the 8th day to the 17th day. On the 18th day, Evan's blue dye (EBD) in the nasal perfusate was detected to assess the vascular permeability.

RESULTSEBD concentration was higher in the model rats than that in the normal rats, and lower in the Biminne-treated rats than that in the model rats (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBiminne could improve vascular permeability of nasal mucosa in sensitized rats, which may be the mechanism of its clinical effect on AR.

Animals ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; blood supply ; Ovalbumin ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred BN ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; physiopathology

To investigate the effect of methyleugenol on expression of MUC5AC in nasal mucosa of rats with allergic rhinitis (AR).Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group, AR group, loratadine group, low-dose methyleugenol group, middle-dose methyleugenol group and high-dose methyleugenol group with 12 rats in each group. AR was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin in latter 5 groups. 10 mg loratadine q.d was given to rats in loratadine group by gavage; and 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg methyleugenol were given by gavege q.d to rats in low-, middle-and high-dose methyleugenol groups, respectively. Nasal mucosa samples were obtained from rats at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after drug intervention. The expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA in nasal mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quota PCR (RT-PCR), respectively.Compared with AR, the percentage of cells staining positively for MUC5AC protein and the relative quantity of MUC5AC mRNA in middle-and high-dose methyleugenol groups were significantly decreased after 2 and 4 weeks of drug intervention (<0.05), but no such decrease was observed in low-dose methyleugenol group at all time points (>0.05). The percentage of cells with positive expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA in loratadine group were significantly decreased after 1 week of administration (<0.05). The percentage of cells with positive MUC5AC protein in middle-dose methyleugenol group was higher than that in loratadine group (<0.05) after 6 week of drug intervention, but the difference was not seen in high-dose group (>0.05). There was no significant difference in relative quantities of MUC5AC mRNA after 4 weeks of administration between high-and middle-dose methyeugenol groups and loratadine group (>0.05).Methyleugenol can attenuate AR through inhibiting the expression of MUC5AC mRNA and protein in nasal mucosa of AR rats.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Eugenol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Loratadine ; Mucin 5AC ; drug effects ; physiology ; Nasal Mucosa ; chemistry ; Ovalbumin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of Biminne, a Chinese herbal compound preparation, for treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSAR model of mouse was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), and the changes in behavior, proliferative activity of splenic lymphocyte, serum levels of total IgE and OVA specific IgE were observed.

RESULTSBiminne showed effects in reducing the frequency of sneezing and nasal rubbing, inhibiting the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte stimulated by phyto-hemagglutinin (PHA) and OVA, and lowering the levels of serum total IgE and OVA specific IgE.

CONCLUSIONBiminne could inhibit the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte and reduce serum level of IgE in mice with AR.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovalbumin ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma as well as the mechanisms related with it.

METHODSSixty healthy rats were randomly divided into AR group and control group. AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and nasal challenge with OVA. Nasal mucosa and lung tissue from both groups were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), alcian-blue and periodic acid-schiff (AB-PAS), respectively. At the same time, the lung tissue was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the level of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and MUC5AC in nasal and lung tissue, respectively.

RESULTSInfiltration of inflammatory cells in nasal mucosa and lung tissue of AR model in rat was evident. Cilia destruction of bronchial epithelial cells of AR model was found. The level of IL4 in BALF of AR group (58.10 +/- 7.92) pg/ml was significant higher compared with that in control group (24.66 +/- 2.07) pg/ml. The expression of ICAM-1 (0.66 +/- 0.24) and MUC5AC (0.71 +/- 0.10) in lung tissue were both significantly higher than that in control group (0.23 +/- 0.02, 0.29 +/- 0.03).

CONCLUSIONSAllergic inflammation in nasal mucosa not only leads to changes in both histopathology and immunology, but also initiates the inflammation in lower respiratory tract mainly causing the change of cytokines and mucin.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Mucins ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effects of Xuebijing in OVA-induced murine allergic rhinitis model. Furthermore, we determined whether heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is required for the protective activity of Xuebijing. METHOD: Airways of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. Levels of interleukin IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in nasal lavage fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Lung tissue and nasal mucosa sections were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production, Immunohistochemistry, Real-time PCR and Western Blot analyses for HO-1 protein expression. RESULT: Orally administered Xuebijing significantly inhibited the number of OVA-induced inflammatory cells and IgE production, along with reduced T-helper (Th) 2 cytokine levels, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, improved the level of IFN-gamma, in nasal lavage fluid. In addition, Xuebijing induced a marked decrease in OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production in nasal and lung tissues. These effects were correlated with HO-1 mRNA and protein induction. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Xuebijing protects against OVA-induced airway inflammation, at least in part, via HO-1 upregulation.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Eosinophilia ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Interleukin-13 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-5 ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of Xinqin tablets on guinea-pig nasal hypersensitivity.

METHOD2,4-Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) was selected as antigen and used in nose to establish guinea-pig allergic rhinitis. The effects of Xinqin tablets on symptoms of nasal hypersensitivity in guinea-pigs, histamine content of nasal mucosa and activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were examined.

RESULTXinqin tablets could significantly relieve the pathological symptoms of nasal hypersensitivity in guinea-pig, reduce histamine content of nasal mucosa and inhibit the activity of nitric oxide synthase.

CONCLUSIONXinqin tablets have significant effect on nasal hypersensitivity, and prevent the occurrence of allergic rhinitis.

Animals ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate

OBJECTIVETo compare the activity of antihistamines by the index of area under dose-response curve (AUDRC) obtained from histamine-induced wheal and flare reactions.

METHODSMizolastine 10 mg, loratadine 10 mg, and placebo were given to 90 healthy volunteers and 60 allergic patients in a double-blind and randomized manner. Histamine titration tests (histamine concentrations 54.3, 20.0, 7.3, and 2.7 mmol/L) were performed for each one before dosing and 2, 4, and 24 hours after dosing. The reactivity was evaluated by histamine-induced wheal and flare areas. The AUDRC values of the wheal and flare areas as a function of the natural logarithm transformed histamine concentration were calculated for each subject, and compared.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of the wheal and flare areas between health volunteers and allergic patients. The AUDRC(27-54.3 mmol/l.) for wheal and flare of mizolastine was 115.7, 23.4, 7.7, 49.8 and 902.1, 40.9, 2.6, 46.9 ln (mmol/L) x mm2 at each time (before dosing and 2, 4, 24 hours after dosing) respectively. Compared with loratadine [116.2, 80.2, 49.7, 71.9 and 957.6, 495.3, 153.5, 205.9 ln (mmol/L) x mm2], mizolastine decreased AUDRC(2.7 - 54.3 mmol/L significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHistamine-induced wheal and flare inhibition test is a reliable pharmacodynamic model for antihistamines, and AUDRC may be an useful index to predict antihistamines pharmacodynamic activity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Area Under Curve ; Benzimidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Histamine ; Histamine H1 Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Loratadine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; complications ; drug therapy ; Skin Tests ; Time Factors ; Urticaria ; chemically induced ; drug therapy