Curcumin inhibits compound 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis

Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a polyphenolic phytochemical with anti-tumor, antiinflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-allergic properties. Mast cells participate in allergic inflammation by virtue of their ability of being activated to allergens and lead to the release of number of biologically active mediators including histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, various cytokines etc. In this report, we have investigated effects of curcumin on nonimmunological stimulations like Compound 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis. In vitro experiments have confirmed nontoxicity of curcumin (50μM) as assessed by MTT test but 100μM dose was found toxic. Curcumin (50μM) inhibited Compound 48/80 induced mouse peritoneal mast cell (MPMC) degranulation and histamine release in dose-dependent manner. Therefore, it is worth to study effect of curcumin on non-immunological stimulations as most often it occurs without IgE involvement. Whether it has mast cell membrane stabilizing activity or some other signaling mechanisms are involved underlying its potential could be explored further.