Immune response modulation by curcumin in a latex allergy model

Abstract

BackgroundThere has been a worldwide increase in allergy and asthma over the last few decades, particularly in industrially developed nations. This resulted in a renewed interest to understand the pathogenesis of allergy in recent years. The progress made in the pathogenesis of allergic disease has led to the exploration of novel alternative therapies, which include herbal medicines as well. Curcumin, present in turmeric, a frequently used spice in Asia has been shown to have anti-allergic and inflammatory potential.MethodsWe used a murine model of latex allergy to investigate the role of curcumin as an immunomodulator. BALB/c mice were exposed to latex allergens and developed latex allergy with a Th2 type of immune response. These animals were treated with curcumin and the immunological and inflammatory responses were evaluated.ResultsAnimals exposed to latex showed enhanced serum IgE, latex specific IgG1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eosinophils and inflammation in the lungs. Intragastric treatment of latex-sensitized mice with curcumin demonstrated a diminished Th2 response with a concurrent reduction in lung inflammation. Eosinophilia in curcumin-treated mice was markedly reduced, co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD80, CD86, and OX40L) on antigen-presenting cells was decreased, and expression of MMP-9, OAT, and TSLP genes was also attenuated.ConclusionThese results suggest that curcumin has potential therapeutic value for controlling allergic responses resulting from exposure to allergens.

Curcumin attenuates allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in mice through NF-κB inhibition

“…In sensitized guinea pigs, curcumin was shown to attenuate OVA-induced AHR, although the effect of curcumin on the airway inflammatory response was not reported in this study (Ram et al, 2003). In a mouse model of latex allergy, curcumin reduced the Th2 response concurrent with a reduction in pulmonary inflammation (Kurup et al, 2007). It has also been reported that curcumin attenuates both airway inflammation and AHR in a mouse model of OVA-induced asthma.…”

Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin: In-vivo

“…Curcumin also prevented rheumatoid arthritis, by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting prostaglandin E2 production in synovial fibroblasts of rheumatoid arthritis patients [22,23]. Curcumin controls allergic responses by attenuating Th2 inflammatory responses [24].…”

Curcumin, a constituent of curry, suppresses IgE-mediated allergic response and mast cell activation at the level of Syk

“…Curcumin exhibits a variety of pharmacologic activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antimicrobial effects. 1 Curcumin also possesses antiallergic activity when examined in animal models of allergy, 2,3 and it inhibits degranulation of the RBL-2H3 tumor mast cell line in culture. 4,5 However, the mechanisms responsible for its antiallergic activity at the cellular and molecular level are unknown.…”