Associate Professor Yoshiyuki Kawamoto and Associate Professor Megumi Takeda of Chubu University, in collaboration with Nagoya University and Aichi Gakuin University, have the effect of suppressing mast cells that cause pollinosis and food allergies in melanin, which is the main component of Ikasumi pigment. This was confirmed by cell experiments and animal experiments.The company aims to develop a therapeutic drug with low side effects.
Squid ink has a structure in which the surface of melanin is covered with protein.The research team extracted melanin by removing protein with an enzyme.In the experiment, melanin synthesized in the laboratory was used in addition to melanin derived from squid ink.Melanin has the property of being difficult to dissolve in water and all organic solvents.After studying various neutral buffer solutions in detail, we developed our own combination of solvent and pH that dissolves melanin well.
Next, mast cells containing histamine, which causes allergies, were cultured and allergens were added.Normally, when an allergen binds to mast cells, inflammatory substances such as histamine pop out from the mast cells, causing allergies.However, when the mast cells were treated with the melanin solution, the amount of inflammatory substances emitted from the mast cells was significantly reduced.Microscopic observation revealed that melanin covered the mast cells and some were taken up from the surface to the inside.It was confirmed that the mast cell activation inhibitory effect is equal to or higher than that of ketotifen, which is a typical antihistamine.In allergy experiments with mice, melanin suppressed the vasodilatory reaction associated with mast cell activation by about 75%.
This achievement was published in the electronic version of Biochemical Pharmacology, a specialized magazine of Elsevier, a major Dutch academic information company.Antihistamines have side effects such as drowsiness, but melanin seems to have low side effects and aims to develop new anti-allergic drugs.
Paper information:[Biochemical Pharmacology] Inhibition of mast cell degranulation by melanin
