Anti-allergic effect of Cyclopia (honeybush) extracts via anti-degranulation activity in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen

Hitoshi SHIMBO; Ayumi FUKAGAWA; Oji NAKAMURA; Shiho MURAKAMI; Yutaka MIURA; Makoto HATTORI; Dalene DE BEER; Elizabeth JOUBERT; Tadashi YOSHIDA

doi:10.12938/bmfh.2023-105

Anti-allergic effect of Cyclopia (honeybush) extracts via anti-degranulation activity in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen

Hitoshi SHIMBO, Ayumi FUKAGAWA, Oji NAKAMURA, Shiho MURAKAMI, Yutaka MIURA, Makoto HATTORI, Dalene DE BEER, Elizabeth JOUBERT, Tadashi YOSHIDA

Author information

Hitoshi SHIMBO
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Ayumi FUKAGAWA
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Oji NAKAMURA
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Shiho MURAKAMI
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Yutaka MIURA
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Makoto HATTORI
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
Dalene DE BEER
Plant Bioactives Group, Post-Harvest & Agro-Processing Technologies Division, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Elizabeth JOUBERT
Plant Bioactives Group, Post-Harvest & Agro-Processing Technologies Division, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Tadashi YOSHIDA
Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan

Keywords: anti-allergic activity, Cyclopia, honeybush, respiratory allergy model, IgE, RBL-2H3 cell, degranulation

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS Advance online publication

Article ID: 2023-105

DOI https://doi.org/10.12938/bmfh.2023-105

Details

Abstract

The anti-allergic effects of extracts prepared from two species of honeybush, Cyclopia genistoides and C. subternata, were demonstrated in vivo in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen induced with ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation to mimic pollen allergy. Intake of the extracts increased the production of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E (IgE), IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in serum and significantly suppressed anaphylactic reaction-induced body temperature decline. Moreover, the extracts significantly inhibited antigen–antibody-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells. They also inhibited body temperature decline when the allergic mice were given them after antigen sensitization, indicating that anti-degranulation activity is the major mechanism underlying the anti-allergic effect of Cyclopia extracts. Despite their qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition, the two extracts exhibited similar effects, suggesting that several active compounds might be involved in the activity. Therefore, oral administration of either Cyclopia extract potentially exerts a systemic anti-allergic effect, supporting the increased consumption of honeybush tea for general wellness and improved quality of life.

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