Polyamine Contents in Plantago Species Exhibiting Different Allergic Significance

ABSTRACT

Polyamines have been implicated in immune function. The relation allergens and polyamines have not been characterized yet. The objective was to determine polyamine levels in pollen of two Plantago species exhibiting different allergic significance. Pollen were extracted in PCA and polyamines were determined by HPLC after benzoylation procedure. Protein contents were measured by Bradford method. Free putrescine and spermidine contents higher in Plantago lanceolata, which is more allergenic than in Plantago major. In accordance with free polyamines bound polyamine levels were also high in Plantago major compared to Plantago lanceolata. It was first time studied and estimated the relation between allergenic activity and polyamine content. Further studies in other genus having pollen exhibiting different allergenic significance are planning.