title: Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in rats by spirulina.
abstract: We investigated the effect of spirulina on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. Spirulina dose-dependently inhibited the systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Spirulina inhibited compound 48/80-induced allergic reaction 100% with doses of 100-1000 microg/g body weight, i.p. Spirulina (10-1000 microg/g body weight, i.p.) also significantly inhibited local allergic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When rats were pretreated with spirulina at a concentration ranging from 0.01 to 1000 microg/g body weight, i.p., the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Spirulina (0.001 to 10 microg/mL) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cyclic AMP in RPMC, when spirulina (10 microg/mL) was added, transiently and significantly increased about 70-fold at 10 sec compared with that of control cells. Moreover, spirulina (10 microg/mL) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These results indicate that spirulina inhibits mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk, South Korea. hmkim@med.wonkwang.ac.kr
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006632:Histamine / Q000097:blood; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects*; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D053545:Spirulina; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D006632:Histamine