title: Influence of polyphenols on allergic immune reactions: mechanisms of action.
abstract: The increased incidence of allergic disease seems to rely on many factors. Among them, the association between genetic variations of the immune response and environmental pressure by allergens, infectious agents and pollutants should be taken into consideration. In alternative to conventional treatments with corticosteroids and antihistaminics, nutraceuticals have been shown to act on allergic disease either during allergic sensitisation or on consolidated disease. In this review, special emphasis is placed on the effects of dietary polyphenols on three major allergic diseases, namely atopic eczema, food allergy and asthma. Interference of polyphenols with T-helper 2 activation seems to be the main mechanism of their inhibitory effects on allergy development. Moreover, deficits of T-regulatory cells seem to play a pathogenic role in allergic disease and, therefore, these cells may represent a major target of polyphenol activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Thea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magrone
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols