Anti-allergic effect of Petasites japonicus fermented with lactic acid bacteria in mice

Petasites japonicus (PJ, family Asteraceae) was fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bifidobacterium breve (BB) or Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), and its allergic effect was investigated. LAB-fermented PJs more potently inhibited IgE-antigen-stimulated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells than non-fermented PJ, with BB-fermented PJ more potent than LA-fermented PJ. Fermented PJ more potently inhibited TNF-α and IL-4 cytokine expression and transcription factor NF-B activation in IgE-induced RBL-2H3 cells. PJ and BB-fermented PJ also inhibited IgE-antigen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions as well as compound 48/80-induced scratching behaviours in mice, with fermented PJ more potent than non-fermented PJ. These findings suggest that PJ may show anti-allergic effects by inhibiting degranulation, and TNF-α and IL-4 expression and its anti-allergic effects can be enhanced by LAB fermentation.