Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) proteins induce allergic responses in nasobronchial allergic patients and BALB/c mice

► Seven pepsin resistant proteins in chickpea. ► Seven IgE binding polypeptides having similar molecular weights in chickpea sensitized human and mice sera. ► Higher levels of specific IgE found in SPT positive chickpea sensitive patients. ► Th1/Th2 (mixed) cytokine response was observed in spleen cell culture. ► Prominent histopathological changes demonstrating allergenic response in intestine, lungs and spleen.