Aqueous Extract from Cuminum cyminum L. Seed Alleviates Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mouse via Balancing of Helper T Cells

Abstract

Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) seeds are widely used as a spice. Although we previously reported that the aqueous extract of cumin seeds suppresses the degranulation of rat basophilic RBL-2H3 cells, it has not been clarified whether the extract alleviates actual allergy symptoms in vivo. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of oral administration of cumin seed aqueous extract (CAE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the following three groups: control group (five mice), OVA group (five mice), and OVA + CAE group (five mice). Allergic rhinitis was induced by sensitization (intraperitoneal, 25 μg OVA and 1.98 mg aluminum hydroxide gel) followed by challenge (intranasal, 400 μg OVA). The oral administration of CAE (25 mg/kg) reduced the sneezing frequency of OVA-induced allergic rhinitis model mice. In addition to reducing the serum immunoglobulin E and IL-4 levels, the oral administration of CAE reduced the production of T-helper type-2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) in the splenocytes of the model mice. Furthermore, a significant increase in the ratio of Th1 to Th2 cells was observed in the CAE-administered group. Our findings suggest that the ingestion of CAE improves T cell balance, the dominant state of Th2, and alleviates allergic rhinitis symptoms.

The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Allergic Diseases

“…Several plant extracts show good anti-allergic abilities in several animal studies, although the exact active chemicals in these extracts remain to be determined. For example, the anti-AD effect of celery extract [108], black soybean extract [109], and the anti-AR effects of the extracts of Musa paradisiaca L. inflorescence [110], Piper nigrum fruit [111], and Cuminum cyminum L. seed [112], are recently demonstrated in various animal models. Exploring dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites for anti-allergic potential represents a new direction for basic research and more clinical studies are needed to verify their effects in human patients.…”

Optimization of Aqueous Extraction of Polyphenols from Cuminum cyminum Seeds Using Response Surface Methodology and Assessment of Biological Activity

“…Moreover, they are applied as a poultice to alleviate the pain of helminthic infection [ 4 , 5 ]. The health benefits of cumin seeds, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities, have been documented in several studies [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Cumin seeds are well known for being high in polyphenolic chemicals, including tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which support their range of biological functions [ 2 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”