The Effect of Red Onion Extract (Allium cepa L.) Against Number of Mast Cells in Bronchus Induced By Ovalbumin

Abstract

Background: Allergy is one type of hypersensitivity type 1; the condition is influenced by the presence of specific IgE and mast cells. The degranulation process of mast cells can release inflammatory mediators, such as histamine. But can be lowered by stabilizing the mast cells' wall. Onion extract (Allium cepa L.) can inhibit the process of mast cell degranulation because of the high levels of quercetin which acts as a mast cell stabilizer. Objective: To determine the effect of onion extract (Allium cepa L.) on the number of granulated bronchial mast cells in the reaction induced by ovalbumin. Method:  True experiment with post-test only control group design. The sample used 20 rats which were divided into 5 groups; normal group, positive group that is induced by ovalbumin route intraperitoneal and inhalation, and the other three groups induced by ovalbumin route intraperitoneal and inhalation plus onion extract at dose 35mg/kg BW, 70mg/kg BW and 140mg/kg BW. Then mast cell observation was carried out by a light microscope with a 400x magnification and confirmation of mast cell with 1000x magnification. Results and Discussion: One-way Anova test result showed a significant effect (p: 0.000). The result of Posthoc showed a significant (p; 0.000) in the group P1, P2, and P3. The result of linear regression obtained Adjusted R2: 0.574 (Onion extract affects 57.4%). The decrease in the number of mast cells is due to the high level of quercetin in the onion extract so that it can stabilize the wall and reduce the number of mast cells. Conclusion: There is an effect of giving onion extract (Allium cepa L.) on granulated mast cells in rat bronchi induced by ovalbumin