Protective effect of baicalin on the small intestine in rats with food allergy

Aims: The therapeutic effect of baicalin and its mechanism were explored. Materials and methods: A total of 30 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10: ovalbumin group (OVA group), baicalin intervention group (HQ group), and saline-group (NC group). Serum OVA-IgE antibody levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and diarrhea in rats was observed. Animals were sacrificed at week seven. Then, a 5-cm long duodenum beneath the Treitz ligament was collected from each rat, and was fixed, embedded, sliced and stained with toluidine blue to evaluate the integrity of mast cells. Next, pathological changes of the intestine were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining, and the ultrastructure of the intestinal mucosa was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Key findings: Serum OVA-sIgE level were significantly lower (at sixth week, OVA group: 12.86 +/- 1.35, HQ group: 3.47 +/- 0.51, F = 117.05, P < 0.01), the number of eosinophils significantly decreased (HQ group: 2.73 +/- 1.02, OVA group: 16.48 +/- 2.32, P < 0.01), mast cell integrated rate was significantly increased (HQ group: 89.90 +/- 4.43, OVA group: 35.30 +/- 9.78, P < 0.01) uniform small intestinal villi were observed, the organelles were basically normal, and lesions were significantly fewer in the HQ group, compared with the OVA group. Significance: Baicalin can effectively reduce serum OVA-sIgE in rats with food allergy, increase mast cell integrated rate and alleviate intestinal pathological changes. Hence, baicalin has a good therapeutic effect on food allergy.