Etiologic significance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) pollen in respiratory allergy

摘要

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L,) is cultivated by and large in different parts of India for its oil-yielding seeds, but the role of its pollen in the etiology of IgE-mediatcd respiratory allergic disorders has been largely overlooked. The purpose of the present study is to project the magnitude of allergic manisfestations of the pollen of this plant which it can induce in atopic patients. Quantitative analyses of the proteins, free amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids of the pollen were performed to know the chemical nature. The protein profile was also studied by SDS-PAGE. Skin tests with the total protein extract were performed to prove its allergenic potential. [References: 31]