Abstract
18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), the main bioactive component of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is considered a promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of 18β-GA in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model, and examined the role of NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. The histopathological changes of lung tissue in mouse were assessed by histochemical staining and counting of inflammatory cells. The levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice were detected by ELISA. In OVA-induced asthmatic mice, 18β-GA treatment can significantly improve lung function and reduce lung inflammation including infiltration of inflammatory cells. In addition, 18β-GA reduced the OVA-induced NF-κB phosphorylation in lungs of mice while increasing the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. These results indicate that 18β-GA protects OVA-induced allergic inflammation of airway by inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and enhancing the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and serves as a potential treatment option for allergic inflammation of airway.
Highlights
18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), the main bioactive component of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is considered a promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent
The results indicated that p-NF-κB, Nrf[2] and Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein expressions were up-regulated in the asthma group, while p-NF-κB expression were down-regulated, while nuclear Nrf[2] and HO-1 expression were further up-regulated after 18β-GA(40) treatments(p = 0.014 and p = 0.015, respectively) (Fig. 7)
Asthma is an oxidative stress disorder characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness[22]
Summary
18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), the main bioactive component of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is considered a promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of 18β-GA in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model, and examined the role of NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. The HO-1 expression reduces nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) level, thereby inhibiting the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and showing anti-asthmatic effects through inhibition on ROS production and inflammatory r esponse[6]. Long-acting beta-agonist and inhaled corticosteroids are considered the most common therapeutic options to treat asthma They reduce airway inflammation and attenuate respiratory symptoms, have poor responses to corticosteroid-based medications are encountered in some patients, with serious adverse effects in some c ases[11,12]. In view of the production of ROS and other oxidants in asthma, we suggest that therapeutics targeting redox stresses and signaling molecules may effectively treat a sthma[13,14]. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of 18β-GA in treating chronic allergic asthma and its possible mechanisms using a mouse model of allergic asthma
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