Fig (Ficus carica L.) leaf tea suppresses allergy by acceleration disassembly of IgE-receptor complexes

Abstract

In this study, I investigated the allergy suppressive effect of tea made from fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves. In the rat basophil cell line RBL-2H3, degranulation was significantly suppressed by treatment with fig tea at the same time as addition of IgE antibodies (sensitization). IgE bound to the cell surface was liberated in the medium depending on the treatment time with fig tea. Therefore, it was suggested that the mechanism of action of fig tea is promotion of dissociation of IgE from FcεRI receptors. Such a mechanism is novel in food materials. On oral administration to mice, fig tea showed an inhibitory effect on allergic dermatitis. Furthermore, in tests using an atopic dermatitis model in NC/Nga mice, continued administration of fig tea suppressed symptom exacerbation after antigen administration. Abbreviations: AD: atopic dermatitis; β-Hex: β-hexosaminidase; FCM: flow cytometory; OA: oral administration; TA: transdermal administration.