New York City's Mount Sinai School of Medicine is involved in human trials after use of a Chinese herbal remedy was found to protect mice from allergic reactions from peanuts. In fact, the research team has shown the formula protects mice against other food allergies including tree nut, fish and shellfish. An herbal remedy to treat asthma is also being tested in the human trials.
Read the whole exciting account in the Feb. 13, 2009 issue of U.S. News and World Report.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that this herb is just as effective for humans. This could be BIG!
4 comments:
I've been following this research for a while, and it's the only study that really excites me.
Unlike some of the other "cures" that are currently in trials (such as the shot program that might reduce the severity of a reaction, but would not enable the person to purposely eat the allergen), this really did produce a true cure in the mice. I read the entire report from the Journal of Clinical Immunology. After completing the herbal treatment they fed peanuts to the mice and nothing happened. In contrast, the group that received the placebo did have serious reactions, and some of those mice died.
I just ran across this study and I seriously wanted to jump up and cheer. As you mentioned, Linda, it really does look promising.
At FAAN's annual food allergy conferences, there is a workshop on studies and research. Each year the report is rather dull and dismal. It will be interesting to see if this study is perceived by FAAN to be hopeful.
I know this is a silly question, but are food allergies common in mice??? My daughter got a mouse for Christmas and it sneezes all the time. I've been wondering if it could be something in it's food. Ironically, my daughter also itches when she holds the mouse, so I keep joking that they are allergic to eachother.
Hi Food Allergy Mom,
Yes, it certainly could be something in your mouse's food that triggers a reaction for your daughter. She may also be allergic to mice.
For research purposes, scientists inject mice to make them allergic. Your sneezing mouse could be allergic to dust or other environmental triggers.
Hmmm...a new book, "If You Give a Mouse an Allergy Shot".
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