Forsythia suspensa extract alleviates hypersensitivity induced by soybean beta-conglycinin in weaned piglets.

OBJECTIVE

Soybeans are known to stimulate food allergies; however, current therapies are lacking in alleviating hypersensitivity. The present study investigated whether Forsythia suspensa extract could attenuate purified soybean beta-conglycinin-induced anaphylactic reactions in weaned piglets.

METHODS

Eighteen 14-day-old piglets were sensitized and boosted by oral administration of purified beta-conglycinin. Forsythia suspensa extract was supplemented in the diet after the initial sensitization and continued for the remainder of the experiment. Piglets were challenged on day 28, and anaphylactic symptoms, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, plasma histamine and intestinal microbial flora were analyzed. T-cell proliferative responses and cytokine production were also determined.

RESULTS

Forsythia suspensa extract alleviated beta-conglycinin-induced anaphylactic symptoms by markedly reducing anaphylactic antibodies, mast cell degranulation, and histamine release while improving intestinal microbial flora. Furthermore, Forsythia suspensa extract significantly suppressed beta-conglycinin-induced T lymphocyte proliferation and IL-4 synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Forsythia suspensa extract protected beta-conglycinin-sensitized piglets from anaphylactic reactions. Forsythia suspensa extract may provide a novel effective therapy for soybean allergy.