Studies on <i>Cassia </i>Pollen Grains of India

Abstract

The aerial distribution of the pollen grains Cassia species was found to be predominant in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the adjacent states of South India. The present study deals with the allergenicity and biochemical aspects of four different species of Cassia which were found to be dominant in the atmosphere of India. The pollen grains of Cassia occidentalis were found to be the most and Cassia roxburghii the least reactive of the four different species studied. The individual analysis of the reactive patients also showed the possibilities of cross-reactivity. The protein, carbohydrate and amino acids of these members were analysed. The results obtained are useful as a step towards standardisation of allergen extracts of Cassia species and are also worthy of further investigations both in relation to cross-reactivity and characterisation of allergens.

Aerobiological, clinical and immunobiochemical studies on Lantana camara pollen and cross-reactivity with other Verbenaceae pollen species

“…pollen grains which are seasonal but cause significant amount of sensitization in respiratory allergic patients. (Satheesh et al 1994). Previous SPT results in Agra city, in North India (Chauhan and Goyal 2006) have showed that LC pollen caused 4.34% sensitization among respiratory allergic patients.…”

Sensitization and lung function in workers occupationally exposed to natural thickening products

“…did not differ significantly from the prevalence found in a group of pharmaceutic workers by Marks et al ( 2) (15.3%; P =0.51, Fisher's exact test). There is only one study describing the prevalence of sensitization to Cassia pollen, among 140 patients environmentally exposed in India ( 3). The prevalence in that study of 12.3% sensitization to Cassia spp.…”

“…Sensitization to Cassia spp. has been described among workers exposed to dust in the process of manufacturing bulk laxatives ( 2) but also among people environmentally exposed to Cassia pollen ( 3). Whereas the study by Marks et al ( 2) found that exposure to Cassia spp.…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to an application on the use of cassia gum as a food additive

“…Human data refer especially to studies on hypersensitivity, and do not include oral intake studies. There are studies in industrially exposed and pharmaceutical workers with results indicative of sensitisation by cassia gum upon skin exposure (Satheesh et al 1994;Steger et al, 1999). No data are available on food allergies or intolerance following oral intake in humans.…”