Antiallergic agent, utilization thereof for reducing allergy and method of reducing allergy

Abstract

The present invention provides an antiallergic agent containing, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of lactic acid bacteria of the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum , and combinations thereof. The antiallergic agent is capable of improving allergic diathesis by reducing the IgE level, which is contributive to development of Type I allergy, and is easy to take and highly safe. The present invention also provides use of the antiallergic agent for reducing allergy, and a method for reducing allergy using the antiallergic agent.

1 . An antiallergic agent comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus , lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The antiallergic agent of  claim 1 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  are bacteria of the strain selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL0062 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4980),  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL92 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4981), and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The antiallergic agent of  claim 1 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum  are of the strain  Lactobacillus fermentum  CP34 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-8383).  
     
     
         4 . The antiallergic agent of  claim 1 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria are capable of reducing, when administered orally, antigen-specific IgE level in blood in a mouse rhinitis model wherein antigen-specific IgE level in blood has been elevated by nasally exposing the mouse to continuous antigen stimulation.  
     
     
         5 . Use of lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus , lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , and combinations thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing allergy.  
     
     
         6 . The use of  claim 5 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  are bacteria of the strain selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL0062 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4980)  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL92 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4981), and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The use of  claim 5 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum  are of the strain  Lactobacillus fermentum  CP34 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-8383).  
     
     
         8 . The use of  claim 5 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria are capable of reducing, when administered orally, antigen-specific IgE level in blood in a mouse rhinitis model wherein antigen-specific IgE level in blood has been elevated by nasally exposing the mouse to continuous antigen stimulation.  
     
     
         9 . A method for reducing allergy comprising administering, to a subject in need of such reduction, an effective dose of an antiallergic agent comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria selected from the group consisting of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus , lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  are bacteria of the strain selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL0062 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4980),  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL92 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4981), and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum  are of the strain  Lactobacillus fermentum  CP34 (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-8383).  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lactic acid bacteria are capable of reducing, when administered orally, antigen-specific IgE level in blood in a mouse rhinitis model wherein antigen-specific IgE level in blood has been elevated by nasally exposing the mouse to continuous antigen stimulation.  
     
     
         13 . An IgE level reducing agent for IgE elevated patients comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  and lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , both capable of reducing antigen-specific IgE level.  
     
     
         14 . An IgE level reducing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  and lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , both capable of reducing antigen-specific IgE level.  
     
     
         15 . An IgE level reducing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL0062 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4980),  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL92 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4981), and  Lactobacillus fermentum  CP34 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-8383).  
     
     
         16 . An IgE level reducing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  and lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , both capable of reducing, when administered orally, antigen-specific IgE level in blood in a mouse rhinitis model wherein antigen-specific IgE level in blood has been elevated by nasally exposing the mouse to continuous antigen stimulation.  
     
     
         17 . An allergic rhinitis improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  and lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , both capable of reducing antigen-specific IgE level.  
     
     
         18 . An allergic rhinitis improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL0062 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4980),  Lactobacillus acidophilus  CL92 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-4981), and  Lactobacillus fermentum  CP34 strain (deposited at International Patent Organism Depositary, FERM BP-8383).  
     
     
         19 . An allergic rhinitis improving agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one of lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus acidophilus  and lactic acid bacteria of the species  Lactobacillus fermentum , both capable of reducing, when administered orally, antigen-specific IgE level in blood in a mouse rhinitis model wherein antigen-specific IgE level in blood has been elevated by nasally exposing the mouse to continuous antigen stimulation.