HMOX1 and acute basophilic leukemia: In 2009, the role of HO-1 in the anti-allergic action of quercetin against the degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, rat peritoneal mast cells, and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells has been investigated by Matsushima et al. HO activity was upregulated after short exposure to quercetin, followed by the induction of HO-1 expression after long exposure to quercetin.