Naringenin chalcone suppresses allergic asthma by inhibiting the type-2 function of CD4 T cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Some polyphenols possess anti-allergic activities. Naringenin chalcone is one of the polyphenols that is present in the skin of red tomatoes. In this study, we investigated the effect of naringenin chalcone in allergic responses in vivo using an experimental mouse model system of allergic asthma.

METHODS:

Allergic airway inflammation was induced in mice by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin. Naringenin chalcone was orally administrated every day during the course of the experiment. Airway hyperreactivity, the eosinophilic infiltration in the bronchioalveolar lavage fluid and Th2 cytokine production from splenic CD4 T cells were assessed.

RESULTS:

Eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity and Th2 cytokine production from CD4 T cells were significantly suppressed in mice that were treated with naringenin chalcone. Hyperproduction of mucus was slightly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study suggest that naringenin chalcone suppresses asthmatic symptoms by inhibiting Th2 cytokine production from CD4 T cells. Thus, naringenin chalcone may be a useful supplement for the suppression of allergic symptoms in humans.

• Authors: Chiaki Iwamura, Kenta Shinoda, Mineka Yoshimura, Yukiko Watanabe, Akio Obata, Toshinori Nakayama
• Journal: Allergology international : official journal of the Japanese Society of Allergology (Allergol Int) Vol. 59 Issue 1 Pg. 67-73 (Mar 2010) ISSN: 1440-1592 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20035147 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chalcones
• Cytokines
• Immunoglobulins
• naringenin chalcone
• Ovalbumin

Topics

• Animals
• Asthma (chemically induced, drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chalcones (administration & dosage, adverse effects, isolation & purification)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Eosinophils (drug effects, pathology)
• Immunoglobulins (blood)
• Immunosuppression Therapy
• Solanum lycopersicum (immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Ovalbumin (immunology)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)