Chinese sweet tea (Rubus suavissimus) polyphenols attenuate the allergic responses in a Balb/c mouse model of egg allergy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract against hen egg ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic response in mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA via intraperitoneal injection for four weeks and subsequently administered the different doses of Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract (0.1 0.5 and 1.0% w/v) in drinking water. We demonstrated that Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract can attenuate OVA allergic response in mice by inducing immune desensitization through Th1/Th2 immunological modulation, a regulatory response involving the transcription factor FOXP3, induction of a suppressed IL-4, but increased IL-10, IL12a and INF-γ, enhanced immunoglobulin isotype IgA production, and suppression of histamine and MMCPT-1. These results suggest that Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract may be a potentially useful candidate for the design of a functional food component in targeting management of food allergy.

Keywords

• Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract
• Egg allergy
• Histamine
• Mast cell protease
• IgE
• Foxp3