| Summary: | <i>Eriobotrya japonica</i> (<i>E. japonica</i>) leaves have been used as an herbal traditional medicine in China and Japan owing to their anti-inflammatory and protective effects against skin conditions and allergy symptoms. These beneficial effects are likely mediated by the various triterpenoids present in <i>E. japonica</i> leaves. However, the efficacy of <i>E. japonica</i> leaves in the treatment of allergic rhinitis has not been evaluated in humans. Therefore, in the present study, a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial was performed on healthy adults of age >20 (<i>n</i> = 27) who were randomly assigned to receive either 2.5 g of placebo or <i>E. japonica</i> leaf supplements once daily for 4 weeks. The Japanese Allergic Rhinitis Quality of Life Standard Questionnaire (JRQLQ), dermatological allergy symptoms, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and skin condition parameters were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Significant differences were observed in the variability of the itchy nose, itchy eyes, and eye symptoms between the <i>E. japonica</i> supplementation and placebo groups after 4 weeks. Arm skin transepidermal water loss was improved only in the <i>E. japonica</i> supplementation group. This study suggests that <i>E. japonica</i> leaves can be used as a functional food ingredient to relieve allergic symptoms.
|
|---|