2007 Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 239-247
The antiallergic properties of hop water extract (HWE) were investigated by evaluating histamine release from human basophilic KU812 cells induced by calcium ionophore A23187. HWE significantly inhibited histamine release, but boiling water extract and chloroform-methanol extract did not show any inhibitory effect on it. A 50% methanol-eluted fraction separated from HWE by XAD-4 column chromatography (MFH) had a strong inhibitory effect as compared with HWE. Quercetin glycosides and kaempherol glycosides were identified in MFH. Most quercetin and kaempherol in HWE existed in glycoside form and their aglycone content, obtained by acid hydrolysis, were approximately 200μg/g. The antiallergic properties of a hop water extract (HWE) were studied by evaluating the Evans blue leakage from ICR mice caused by compound 48/80 stimulation, and the histamine release from ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized BALB/c mice. An oral administration of HWE significantly inhibited the vascular permeability and histamine release. HWE itself did not have any influence on the total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in OVA-sensitized mice. These results indicate that HWE exerted an antiallergic effect by inhibiting the release of chemical mediators from mast cells and basophiles.
