~gamma -Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that is widely distributed in plant and animal kingdom. GABA is found in tissues of the central nervous system (CNS) in animals. GABA functions as a the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS by acting through the GABA receptors. Clinical studies have revealed the relationship between an increased intake of GABA or analogues with several health benefits, including lowering of blood pressure in mildly hypertensive animals and humans. Furthermore, GABA would also has an inhibitory effect on cancer cell proliferation, stimulates cancer cell apoptosis and plays a role in alcohol-associated diseases and schizophrenia. In plants, interest in the GABA emerged mainly from experimental observations that GABA is largely and rapidly produced in large amounts in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we speculated the properties and metabolism of GABA in plant and functions in relation to the responses to environmental stresses.

The anti-allergic effect of C3GHi rice breeded from the cross of ‘Heugjinjubyeo’ and ‘Suwon 415’ was investigated. Antiscratching behavioral effects of the water extract of C3GHi was higher than Heugjinjubyeo. Orally administered BCRs’ extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity against scratching behaviors which were induced by compound 48/80. The inhibitory effect of C3GHi against the passive cutaneous reaction was more potent than that of Heugjinjubyeo. These finding suggest that black colored rice, especially C3GHi, may inhibit scratching behaviors and passive cutaneous reaction, and its anti-allergic activities were increased by means of selecting high C3G rice seeds.