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Effects of hop extracts on nasal rubbing and sneezing in BALB/c mice
Miho Takubo1, Toshio Inoue, Shuishi Jiang
1Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan.
Abstract:
The effects of hop extracts (Humulus lupulus L.) on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and human basophilic KU812 cells were studied. Hop water extract (HWE) and XAD-4 50% methanol fraction of HWE (MFH) inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 at concentrations of 100 and 10 mug/ml, respectively. Almost the same findings were observed with A23187-induced histamine release from KU812 cells. Next, we studied the effects of hop extracts on antigen-induced nasal rubbing and sneezing in sensitized BALB/c mice. HWE caused a significant inhibition of nasal rubbing and sneezing at a dose of 500 mg/kg. MFH also inhibited nasal rubbing and sneezing dose-dependently. A significant difference was observed from 100 mg/kg in nasal rubbing and 200 mg/kg in sneezing. The effects of both extracts became clear after repeated administration. HWE and MFH significantly inhibited both nasal rubbing and sneezing, respectively, after consecutive treatment for 15 d at smaller doses compared with single administration. This finding indicates that the active component of hop is included in MFH, which was absorbed to Amberlite XAD-4 and eluted with 50% methanol. These results clearly demonstrated that hop extracts may be effective in the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Insights
Hop extracts effectively reduced histamine release in cells and allergy symptoms like sneezing and nasal rubbing in mice. Repeated administration of these natural compounds enhanced their therapeutic effects for allergic rhinitis relief.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis is a common condition with limited treatment options.
- Histamine is a key mediator in allergic reactions.
- Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) contains compounds with potential anti-allergic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-allergic effects of hop extracts.
- To determine the impact of hop extracts on histamine release from mast cells and basophils.
- To evaluate the efficacy of hop extracts in an animal model of allergic rhinitis.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using rat peritoneal mast cells and human basophilic KU812 cells.
- In vivo studies using antigen-induced nasal rubbing and sneezing in sensitized BALB/c mice.
- Administration of hop water extract (HWE) and its methanol fraction (MFH).
Main Results:
- Both HWE and MFH inhibited histamine release induced by compound 48/80 and A23187.
- Hop extracts significantly reduced nasal rubbing and sneezing in mice.
- Repeated administration of hop extracts demonstrated enhanced efficacy at lower doses.
Conclusions:
- Hop extracts possess anti-allergic properties by inhibiting histamine release.
- Hop extracts are effective in alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
- The active anti-allergic component of hop is concentrated in the MFH fraction.
