Research

Immune response modulation by curcumin in a latex allergy model

Viswanath P Kurup^1,2,3 , Christy S Barrios¹ , Raghavan Raju^4,5 , Bryon D Johnson¹ , Michael B Levy¹ and Jordan N Fink^1,2

¹  Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

²  Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

³  Research Service, V A Medical Center, 5000 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA

⁴  Neuromuscular Diseases Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA

⁵  University of Alabama School of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Volker Hall, Room G094, 1670 University Boulevard, AL 35294, USA

author email corresponding author email

Clinical and Molecular Allergy 2007, 5:1doi:10.1186/1476-7961-5-1

Published:	25 January 2007

Abstract

Background

There 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.

Methods

We 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.

Results

Animals 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.

Conclusion

These results suggest that curcumin has potential therapeutic value for controlling allergic responses resulting from exposure to allergens.