Inhibitory effects of catechin isolated from Acacia catechu on ovalbumin induced allergic asthma model: Role of histidine decarboxylase
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 1 November 2018
Issue publication date: 8 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Polyphenols possess anti-allergic activities. Catechin is one of the polyphenols that are abundantly present in the Acacia catechu. In this study, the authors investigated the effect of catechin isolated from A. catechu in an experimental mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma.
Design/methodology/approach
Catechin was isolated from A. catechu, and phytochemical analysis was carried out by ultraviolet visible and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high pressure thin-layer chromatography was used for the determination of an amount of catechin present. In a first set of an experiment, the authors have carried out dose-dependent evaluation of catechin on histamine synthesis in normal rats. In another study, allergic asthma was induced in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg OVA dissolved in 4 mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.2 ml saline on Days 0 and 14. Catechin was given orally at the dose of 100 mg/kg, once a day from Day 1 to Day 35 and after which various respiratory parameters such as tidal volume, respiratory rate and airflow rate, biochemical parameters such as histamine release from mast cells, bronchoalveolar (BAL) lavage fluid analysis and histopathology of lungs were carried out.
Findings
Catechin showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in respiratory parameters such as tidal volume, respiratory rate and airflow rate, as well as biochemical and hematological parameters such as blood histamine, serum bicarbonate and nitric oxide levels as compared to the disease control group. The treatment also showed inhibitory effects on histamine synthesis in rat peritoneal as well as BAL mast cells. Also, a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in lung histopathology was observed with catechin.
Originality/value
From the present study, the authors can conclude that catechin exhibited potent anti-allergic activity by inhibition of histamine synthesis by inhibition of histidine decarboxylase enzyme. The study suggests that catechin has therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease in humans.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the funding provided by Nirma University in the form of minor research project.
Conflicts of interest. The authors state that there are no conflicts of interest pertaining to this manuscript.
Author contributions. Snehal S. Patel designed and supervised the experiment, Vinit D. Patel has performed the experiments. All authors provided comments on initial and final drafts of the manuscript.
Citation
Patel, S. and Patel, V. (2019), "Inhibitory effects of catechin isolated from Acacia catechu on ovalbumin induced allergic asthma model: Role of histidine decarboxylase", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 18-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2018-0016
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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