A review on food allergy: pathogenesis, diagnosis methods and treatment approaches

An exaggerated immune reaction to a food that takes place in a vulnerable host is referred to as a food allergy. The two main types of food-induced allergy diseases are those caused by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and those caused by non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. These reactions are frequently brought on by food allergens such as egg, seafood, fruits, milk, soy, peanut, etc. In India, roughly 26.5% of the population has been impacted by food-induced allergy diseases. Age, sex, heredity, and geographic location of the patient, as well as vitamin D deficiency and other allergic reactions, are risk factors that might result in life-threatening food allergies. Skin prick test, oral food challenge, component resolved diagnostic testing are the most widely used diagnostic tests for food allergy. Pharmacotherapy of food induced allergic reactions include epinephrine therapy and use of antihistamine drugs. However, the main stay of treatment is avoidance of responsible food and food desensitization. Some home remedies can also be used in order to control allergic reactions caused by food allergens. All these remedies directly or indirectly improve the health of immune system to prevent food induced allergic reactions. The objective of this study was to throw a light on the pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and possible treatment options for food allergy

ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF LINARIA RAMOSISSIMA (WALL) JANCH IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Linaria ramosissima (Wall.)Janch as an antidiabetic agent in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ) 60 mg/kg body weight. Animals with BGL more than 200 mg/dl, 48 hrs after STZ injection were considered as diabetic and were used for experiment. Hydroalcoholic extract of Linaria ramosissima (Wall.)Janch was administered for 21days. During treatment period daily food and water intake and weekly body weight and BGL were checked in each group of rats. Histopathology of pancreas was performed at the end of experiment. Results: Mean food and water intake in diabetic group of rats increased as compared to normal control group. Administration of test drug (200mg/kg & 400mg/kg) significantly reduced water intake without significant reduction in food intake as compared to normal control group. Significant decrease in body weight was observed in diabetic group of rats, but administration of extract significantly improved the body weight. Elevated BGL observed in diabetic animals was significantly reduced by administration of extract.Blood glucose lowering effect of extract was confirmed by results of histopathology of pancreas. Conclusion: The results of the studies confirmed the ethanomedicinal use of Linaria ramosissima (Wall.) Janch in treatment of diabetes by reducing BGL, improving parameters like food and water intake, body weight and regeneration of the islets of langerhans