Abstract
Cocoa contains bioactive components, which vary according to genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to ascertain the anti-allergic properties of native Peruvian cocoa populations (“Blanco de Piura” or BPC, “Amazonas Peru” or APC, “Criollo de Montaña” or CMC, “Chuncho” or CCC, and an ordinary cocoa or OC). To do so, after an initial in vitro approach, an in vivo study focused on the induction of an anaphylactic response associated with allergic asthma in Brown Norway rats was carried out. Based on their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and in vitro effects, the APC and CMC were selected to be included in the in vivo study. Cocoa diets were tested in a model of allergic asthma in which anaphylactic response was assessed by changes in body temperature, motor activity and body weight. The concentration of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), mast cell protease and leukotrienes was also quantified in serum and/or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CMC and OC populations exhibited a protective effect on the allergic asthma rat model as evidenced by means of a partial protection against anaphylactic response and, above all, in the synthesis of IgE and the release of mast cell protease.
Highlights
Allergic asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation and immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction [1]
The cocoa samples were obtained under prior informed consent (PIC), in agreement and signed with farmers, and in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol spirit of sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources [32,33]
The content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, theobromine and caffeine differed between the five cocoa samples considered (Table 1)
Summary
Allergic asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation and immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction [1]. Asthmatic patients often present airflow limitation and suffer from variable respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough [2]. The airway of an asthmatic patient is characterized by eosinophils infiltration, degranulated mast cells together with alteration of epithelial cell tight junctions and hyperplasia of goblet cells [3,4]. Nutrients 2020, 12, 2301; doi:10.3390/nu12082301 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients (13–14 years old) suffer from asthma. This disease is underdiagnosed and the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in Peru has been reported to be 33.1% [6]
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