Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Ovalbumin-induced Cyclooxygenase-2 and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression

Egg allergy has been raised as the most prevalent food hypersensitivity in children. Ovalbumin (OVA), which is one of the major egg allergens, is the major protein in egg white. Isoliquiritigenin (ILG) is an active component present in licorice and has been used to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In this study, we present biochemical evidence that ILG inhibits OVA-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. ILG also inhibits OVA-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. These data suggest that ILG has anti-allergy effects.