Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by sequential exposure to photosensitizing substances present in plants followed by ultraviolet light. Several plants (e.g., limes, celery, fig, and wild parsnip) contain furocoumarin compounds (psoralens). It is important for dermatologists to be aware of phytophotodermatitis because it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis, tinea, or allergic contact dermatitis. We present five patients with a sharply defined erythematous swollen patch with bullae on both feet. They described soaking their feet in a fig leaves decoction to treat their underlying dermatologic diseases. Within 24 hours, all patients had a burning sensation in their feet, and erythema and edema had developed on the feet dorsa with exception of the portion of the skin covered by the sandals. Histopathologic examinations revealed sub-epithelial blisters with intensive epidermal necrosis. Phytophotodermatitis was ultimately diagnosed and, after several days, the patients' skin lesions began to recover upon treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately, since there are no studies providing sufficient evidence on the benefits of fig leaves, they should be used with caution.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Apium graveolens ; Blister ; Burns ; Cellulitis ; Citrus aurantiifolia ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Edema ; Erythema ; Ficus ; Foot ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Photosensitivity Disorders ; Sensation ; Skin ; Tinea ; Ultraviolet Rays

Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by sequential exposure to photosensitizing substances present in plants followed by ultraviolet light. Several plants (e.g., limes, celery, fig, and wild parsnip) contain furocoumarin compounds (psoralens). It is important for dermatologists to be aware of phytophotodermatitis because it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis, tinea, or allergic contact dermatitis. We present five patients with a sharply defined erythematous swollen patch with bullae on both feet. They described soaking their feet in a fig leaves decoction to treat their underlying dermatologic diseases. Within 24 hours, all patients had a burning sensation in their feet, and erythema and edema had developed on the feet dorsa with exception of the portion of the skin covered by the sandals. Histopathologic examinations revealed sub-epithelial blisters with intensive epidermal necrosis. Phytophotodermatitis was ultimately diagnosed and, after several days, the patients' skin lesions began to recover upon treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately, since there are no studies providing sufficient evidence on the benefits of fig leaves, they should be used with caution.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Apium graveolens ; Blister ; Burns ; Cellulitis ; Citrus aurantiifolia ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Edema ; Erythema ; Ficus ; Foot ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Photosensitivity Disorders ; Sensation ; Skin ; Tinea ; Ultraviolet Rays

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is caused by cross-reactivity between certain pollens and plant foods, including vegetables, nuts, or fruits. Here, we experienced 2 cases of OAS patients associated with mugwort pollinosis without sensitization to Fagales. A 54-year-old female repeatedly experienced skin rashes, perioral edema, nasal obstruction after eating fresh vegetables (celery, lettuce, chicory, radish sprouts, ginseng, etc.). She had suffered from allergic rhinitis worsening in autumn for 5 years. Specific IgE (sIgE) titers to ragweed and mugwort were elevated to 54.1 and 24.9 kU/L, respectively. With regard to the allergen component of pollens, sIgE to Art v 1 (mugwort) and Amb a 1 (ragweed) were elevated to 21.9 and 36.1 kU/L, respectively. Birch sIgE (including Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) was not detected. A 35-year-old male suffered from abdominal pain, skin rashes after eating mango and kiwi. In addition, systemic allergic reaction developed after consumption of tomato and ginseng. He had chronic rhinitis. The sIgE levels to ragweed, mugwort, and tomato were elevated to 0.55, 6.39, and 0.78 kU/L, respectively. The sIgE test results were all negative for Amb a 1, Bet v 1, and Bet v 2 sIgE. Specific IgE levels to Art v 1, Art v 2 sIgE were 3.51 and 4.46 kU/L, respectively. Based on the history and sIgE test results, 2 cases OAS were related to mugwort. We experienced 2 cases of weed pollinosis related to OAS. Culprit foods of OAS can vary depending on their cuisine cultures.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Ambrosia ; Apium graveolens ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Chicory ; Eating ; Edema ; Exanthema ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Lettuce ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Male ; Mangifera ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nuts ; Panax ; Plants ; Pollen ; Raphanus ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: In the celery-mugwort-birch-spice syndrome, a significant proportion of IgE is directed against high molecular weight (HMW) glycoproteins, including the celery allergen Api g 5. BIP3, a monoclonal antibody originally raised against birch pollen, recognizes HMW allergens in birch and mugwort pollens, celery, and Apiaceae spices. Our aim was to generate mimotopes using BIP3 for immunization against the HMW allergens relevant in the celery-mugwort-birch-spice cross reactivity syndrome. METHODS: Mimotopes were selected from a random-peptide display library by BIP3 and applied in IgE inhibition assays. The 3 phage clones with the highest inhibitory capacity were chosen for immunization of BALB/c mice. Mouse immune sera were tested for IgG binding to blotted birch pollen extract and used for inhibiting patients' IgE binding. Furthermore, sera were tested for binding to Api g 5, to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a second glycoprotein, or to non-glycosylated control allergen Phl p 5 in ELISA, and the specific Api g 5-specific IgG titers were determined. RESULTS: Three rounds of biopanning resulted in phage clones exhibiting 7 different sequences including 1 dominant, 1-6-cyclo-CHKLRCDKAIA. Three phage clones had the capacity to inhibit human IgE binding and induced IgG to the HMW antigen when used for immunizing BALB/c mice. The induced BIP3-mimotope IgG reached titers of 1:500 specifically to Api g 5, but hardly reacted to glycoprotein HRP, revealing a minor role of carbohydrates in their epitope. CONCLUSIONS: The mimotopes characterized in this study mimic the epitope of BIP3 relevant for Api g 5, one of the cross-reactive HMW allergens relevant in the celery-mugwort-birch-spice syndrome. BIP3 mimotopes may be used in the future for hyposensitization in this clinical syndrome by virtue of good and specific immunogenicity.
Allergens ; Animals ; Apiaceae ; Apium graveolens ; Artemisia ; Bacteriophages ; Betula ; Carbohydrates ; Clone Cells ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Glycoproteins ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mice ; Molecular Weight ; Pollen ; Spices ; Vaccination ; Virtues

Apigenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid commonly found in many fruits and vegetables such as parsley, chamomile, celery, and kumquats. In the last few decades, recognition of apigenin as a cancer chemopreventive agent has increased. Significant progress has been made in studying the chemopreventive aspects of apigenin both in vitro and in vivo. Several studies have demonstrated that the anticarcinogenic properties of apigenin occur through regulation of cellular response to oxidative stress and DNA damage, suppression of inflammation and angiogenesis, retardation of cell proliferation, and induction of autophagy and apoptosis. One of the most well-recognized mechanisms of apigenin is the capability to promote cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis through the p53-related pathway. A further role of apigenin in chemoprevention is the induction of autophagy in several human cancer cell lines. In this review, we discuss the details of apigenin, apoptosis, autophagy, and the role of apigenin in cancer chemoprevention via the induction of apoptosis and autophagy.
Apigenin* ; Apium graveolens ; Apoptosis* ; Autophagy* ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Chamomile ; Chemoprevention ; DNA Damage ; Fruit ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Oxidative Stress ; Petroselinum ; Rutaceae ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a specific clinical syndrome requiring both ingestion of an allergenic food and exercise to induce anaphylaxis. It may be underdiagnosed due to insufficient history taking in terms of the causes of anaphylaxis. This study aims to describe clinical characteristics and diagnostic results of FDEIA in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients under 18 years old who were diagnosed with FDEIA at Asan Medical Center between January 2003 and August 2014. RESULTS: Of the 170 children with anaphylaxis, 11 (6.5%) had FDEIA. The mean age at the onset of symptoms was 14.8+/-1.5 years. The causative foods were: wheat (n=4), meat (n=1), mung beans (n=1), rice (n=1), celery (n=1), cabbage (n=1), fish (n=1), and soy (n=1). The numbers of symptom development were: 7 (n=1), 6 (n=1), 3 (n=4), 2 (n=2), and 1 (n=3). The geometric mean (range of 1 standard deviation) of total serum IgE levels was 131.6 kU/L (53.5-324.2 kU/L). The skin prick test and immununoCAP were positive for causative foods in 3 of 6 patients (50.0%) and 7 of 10 patients (70.0%), respectively. The provocation test was performed in 8 of 11 patients and showed positive results except 1 patient. The interval between exercise and symptoms was 21.6+/-7.3 minutes. CONCLUSION: It is important to suspect FDEIA and take a detailed history in children with anaphylaxis. Provocation test should be considered to confirm the diagnosis. Further studies on disease course and long-term prognosis are warranted.
Anaphylaxis* ; Apium graveolens ; Brassica ; Child* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Fabaceae ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Meat ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Triticum

PURPOSE: This study investigated the question of whether the addition of natural ingredients (pear fermented solution, celery powder, vitamin C) in curing agents may influence antioxidant activities and nutritional characteristics of smoked duck. METHODS: Smoked duck samples with general or natural curing agent containing three additive ingredients were examined to determine total polyphenol contents, antioxidant activities, pH, TBARS, and food additives residue (nitrite ion, antioxidant, sodium glutamate). RESULTS: Smoked duck with natural curing agent showed a higher level of total polyphenol content and antioxidant activities than smoked duck using general curing agent (p < 0.05). The pH and TBARS of smoked duck were significantly decreased by the addition of natural curing ingredients compared to those of smoked duck using general curing agent (p < 0.05). The residues of food additives were not detected in smoked duck using natural curing agent. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the addition of pear fermented solution, celery powder, and vitamin C in natural duck curing agent may improve the antioxidant activities and nutritional characteristics of smoked duck and provides health benefits.
Apium graveolens ; Ascorbic Acid ; Ducks* ; Food Additives ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Insurance Benefits ; Pyrus ; Smoke* ; Sodium ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Vitamins

Luteolin is a flavonoid found in abundance in celery, green pepper, and dandelions. Previous studies have shown that luteolin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent. In this study, the anti-inflammatory capacity of luteolin and one of its glycosidic forms, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, were compared and their molecular mechanisms of action were analyzed. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells, luteolin more potently inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 as well as the expression of their corresponding enzymes (inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) than luteolin-7-O-glucoside. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects were investigated to determine whether the inflammatory response was related to the transcription factors, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1, or their upstream signaling molecules, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Luteolin attenuated the activation of both transcription factors, NF-kappaB and AP-1, while luteolin-7-O-glucoside only impeded NF-kappaB activation. However, both flavonoids inhibited Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, luteolin more potently ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation than luteolin-7-O-glucoside, which might be attributed to the differentially activated NF-kappaB/AP-1/PI3K-Akt pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.
Apium graveolens ; Capsicum ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; Glucosides ; Inflammation ; Luteolin* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Phosphorylation ; Taraxacum ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; Transcription Factors

Luteolin is a flavonoid that exists in a glycosylated form in celery and green pepper. Flavonoids possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the expression of key inflammatory molecules in macrophages and monocytes. It has been reported also that some flavonoids have effects on bone metabolism. The effects of luteolin on the function of osteoblasts were investigated by measuring cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen production, osteoprotegerin secretion, Wnt promoter activity, BMP-2 and Runx2 expression and calcified nodule formation. Luteolin has no effects upon osteoblast viability but induced an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen production and a decrease in osteoprotegerin secretion in these cells. Luteolin treatment also upregulated BMP-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that luteolin may be a regulatory molecule that facilitates the differentiation of osteoblasts.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Apium graveolens ; Capsicum ; Cell Survival ; Collagen Type I ; Flavonoids ; Luteolin ; Macrophages ; Monocytes ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the whole plant of fresh celery (Apium graveolens).

METHODThe constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, PTLC, HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidences.

RESULTTwenty compounds were obtained and identified as falcariondiol (1), (9Z) 1,9-heptadecadiene-4,6-diyne-3,8,11-triol (2), oplopandiol (3), bergapten (4), 5,8-dimethoxy psoralen (5), isofraxidin (6), eugenic acid (7), trans-ferulic acid (8), trans-cinnamic acid (9), p-hydroxyphenylethanol ferulate (10), caffeoylquinic acid (11), 5-p-trans-coumaroylquinic acid (12), sedanolide (13), lunularin (14), lunularic acid (15), 2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenol)-propane-1,3-diol (16), D-allitol (17), beta-sitosterol (18), benzolic acid (19), succinic acid (20).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 14-17 were isolated from genus Apium for the first time.