From the clinical researcher’s desk

Introduction

About 20% of the people globally suffer from allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. This is possibly due to the growing industrialization and fast-changing diversity coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.

Objective

The study evaluated the anti-allergic properties of Mulmina®.

Methodology

The anti-allergic property of Mulmina® was evaluated using the following seven well known and important anti-allergic models:

• Model 1: Compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation in rat mesentery
• Model 2: Compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation in rat peritoneal fluid
• Model 3: Milk induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia in mice
• Model 4: Effect of Mulmina® on 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis
• Model 5: Effect of Mulmina® on the histamine-induced contraction of smooth muscle by using isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation
• Model 6: Effect of Mulmina® against histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs
• Model 7: Anti-allergic effect of Mulmina® in ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in Balb/c mice

Key observations

1. In Compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation in rat mesentery, Mulmina® showed a marked reduction in the number of degranulated cells with maximum protection. Thus the anti-allergic activity of Mulmina® was confirmed by its mast cell stabilising property.
2. In Compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation in rat peritoneal fluid, Mulmina® showed significant protection of intact cells. Thus reconfirmation of mast cell stabilising property of Mulmina® justified the antiallergic activity.
3. In Milk induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, treatment of Mulmina® exhibited a significant reduction in an antigen-induced immunological reaction as evident by lower leukocytes and eosinophil count. Thus, supplementation of Mulmina® raised immune power by reducing elevated levels of leukocytes and eosinophils.
4. Effect of Mulmina® on systemic anaphylaxis-Treatment with a higher dose of Mulmina® showed protection against histamine-induced anaphylactic shock/mortality. So supplement of Mulmina® has shown the anti-anaphylactic activity by stabilizing the mast cells. Thus, inhibiting the deleterious effect of histamine by blockage of its release from cells. Hence, the product showed anti-allergic activity.
5. Effect of Mulmina® on the histamine-induced contraction of smooth muscle by using isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation exhibited ˜90% protection against histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction. Thus the anti-allergic activity of Mulmina® was confirmed by inhibiting the airway smooth muscle contraction in allergic conditions.
6. Effect of Mulmina® against histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs- Administration of two doses of Mulmina® exhibited 4.5- and 9.0-folds increase in pre-convulsive time compared to inhalation of histamine alone group of guinea pig. Thus Mulmina® showed protection against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction (typical symptom observed in asthma in humans).
7. Anti-allergic effect of Mulmina® in ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in Balb/c mice- Mulmina® treatment was able to lower (˜2 to 4 folds) the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, tissue damage marker (LDH), neutrophil infiltration marker (MPO), oxidative stress markers (nitrate and lipid peroxidation) in ovalbumin-induced airway disease. Thus treatment of Mulmina® revealed the anti-allergic activity by reducing inflammatory and oxidative stress in ovalbumin-induced airway respiratory illness.

Conclusion-

• Mulmina® exhibited significant anti-allergic properties, especially in airway respiratory illness, which was revealed by the above seven models.
• This study confirmed the mast cell stabilising property of Mulmina® and its immune-boosting properties is evident fromthe reduction in the elevated levels of leukocytes and eosinophil.
• The study also showed the anti-allergic activity of Mulmina® evident from its ability to inhibit the deleterious effect of histamine by blockage of its release from cells and ability to inhibit the airway smooth muscle contraction.
• In the animal models of respiratory illness, Mulmina® exhibited anti-allergic activity by reducing inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.