Turmeric (Curcuma longa) attenuates food allergy symptoms by regulating type 1/type 2 helper T cells (Th1/Th2) balance in a mouse model of food allergy.
BACKGROUND
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has traditionally been used to treat pain, fever, allergic and inflammatory diseases such as bronchitis, arthritis, and dermatitis. In particular, turmeric and its active component, curcumin, were effective in ameliorating immune disorders including allergies. However, the effects of turmeric and curcumin have not yet been tested on food allergies.


METHODS
Mice were immunized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) and alum. The mice were orally challenged with 50mg OVA, and treated with turmeric extract (100mg/kg), curcumin (3mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) for 16 days. Food allergy symptoms including decreased rectal temperature, diarrhea, and anaphylaxis were evaluated. In addition, cytokines, immunoglobulins, and mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) were evaluated using ELISA.


RESULTS
Turmeric significantly attenuated food allergy symptoms (decreased rectal temperature and anaphylactic response) induced by OVA, but curcumin showed weak improvement. Turmeric also inhibited IgE, IgG1, and mMCP-1 levels increased by OVA. Turmeric reduced type 2 helper cell (Th2)-related cytokines and enhanced a Th1-related cytokine. Turmeric ameliorated OVA-induced food allergy by maintaining Th1/Th2 balance. Furthermore, turmeric was confirmed anti-allergic effect through promoting Th1 responses on Th2-dominant immune responses in immunized mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Turmeric significantly ameliorated food allergic symptoms in a mouse model of food allergy. The turmeric as an anti-allergic agent showed immune regulatory effects through maintaining Th1/Th2 immune balance, whereas curcumin appeared immune suppressive effects. Therefore, we suggest that administration of turmeric including various components may be useful to ameliorate Th2-mediated allergic disorders such as food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and asthma.
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea; Food Biotechnology Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea.
Hee Soon
HS
Shin
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
Hye-Jeong
HJ
See
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
Sun Young
SY
Jung
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
Dae Woon
DW
Choi
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
Da-Ae
DA
Kwon
Institutes of Entrepreneurial BioConvergence, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Min-Jung
MJ
Bae
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
Ki-Seung
KS
Sung
Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Kyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea; Food Biotechnology Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dhs95@kfri.re.kr.
Dong-Hwa
DH
Shon
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D053818:Chymases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D030024:Curcuma; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C012596:turmeric extract; D010047:Ovalbumin; D053818:Chymases; C509230:Mcpt1 protein, mouse; D003474:Curcumin
Curcumin; Food allergy; IgE; Ovalbumin; Th2; Turmeric