J Rhinol.  2002 Nov;9(1, 2):16-23.

Anti-Allergic Effects of Aloe Glycoprotein (NY945) on Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Allergy in the Guinea Pig

• Yun JB
• Seong WJ
• Chung MH
• Min YG

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aloe is one of the well known substances to decrease inflammation and promote wound healing. Although little is known about its mechanism, recent studies suggest that aloe vera extracts may have the anti-allergic effect by inhibiting the mediator release evoked by mast cell activation. Therefore, we were to investigate the effect of NY945, a glycoprotein fraction of Aloe vera, on nasal mucosa of the ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized guinea pigs.
Materials and Methods
Female Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection and subsequent inhalation of OVA. NY945 was injected intraperitonealy before intranasal challenge of OVA with an ultrasonic nebulizer. Airway resistance, mucosal permeability, histamine concentration in the nasal lavage fluid, the number of mast cells and eosinophils in nasal mucosa and serum level of OVA -specific IgE were evaluated.
RESULTS
NY945 effectively inhibited respiratory airway resistance in the sensitized guinea pigs. The concentration of dye into nasal lavage fluid was rapidly increased after OVA instillation and NY945 inhibited the OVA -induced microvascular dye leakage. OVA inhalation to sensitized guinea pig resulted in prominent increase of histamine concentration in the nasal lavage fluid. This response was inhibited by intraperitoneal NY945 injection. It also inhibited accumulation of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa in sensitized guinea pigs. However, there was no change in the serum OVA -specific IgE level between the NY945 treated and control group.
CONCLUSION
The data suggest that NY945 inhibits early allergic reaction via inhibition of histamine release and eosinophil infiltration.

Keyword

Aloe vera; Anti-allergic effect; Nasal capillary permeability; Total a irway resistance; Ovalbumin

MeSH Terms

Airway Resistance
Aloe*
Animals
Eosinophils
Female
Glycoproteins*
Guinea Pigs*
Guinea*
Histamine
Histamine Release
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Inhalation
Injections, Intraperitoneal
Mast Cells
Nasal Lavage Fluid
Nasal Mucosa
Nebulizers and Vaporizers
Ovalbumin
Ovum
Permeability
Ultrasonics
Wound Healing
Glycoproteins
Histamine
Immunoglobulin E
Ovalbumin