Inhibitory Effect of Ore Minerals on the Allergic Inflammation in Mouse

The ore minerals, mainly composed of sericite, tale, and halloysite, were investigated for their inhibitory effect on the allergic inflammation in mice by measuring the serum IgE level, inflammatory cytokine production, and histamine and beta-hexosaminidase releases. When the mice were ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged prior to the ore mineral treatment, the IgE level in the serum decreased significantly. The ore minerals significantly reduced the productions of IL-4 and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid challenged with OVA. The inflammatory infiltrates, found in the lung of the OVA-challenged mouse, were also notably decreased following the ore mineral treatment. The ore minerals significantly reduced the release of histamine and beta-hexosaminidase from the RBL-2H3 cells. These results suggest that the ore minerals may be useful as potent inhibitors of the allergic inflammation in mice.