A water extract of Samchulkunbi-tang attenuates airway inflammation by inhibiting inos and MMP-9 activities in an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model

Mee Young Lee,Hyeun Kyoo Shin,In Sik Shin,Hye Sun Lim

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-257

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we investigated the effect of Samchulkunbi-tang water extract (SCTE) in an established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The effects of SCTE on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, and total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity were measured.MethodsMice were sensitized on days 0 and 14 with an intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified in 2 mg aluminum hydroxide in 200 μL PBS buffer. On days 21, 22, and 23, mice received an airway exposure to OVA (1%, w/v, in PBS) for 1 h. SCTE was administered orally to mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg per day from days 18 to 23.ResultsSCTE reduced the number of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and iNOS expression and MMP-9 activity in mouse lung tissue. Histological studies using hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining showed that SCTE substantially inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue and goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway. SCTE also reduced IL-4 and IL-13 expression in concanavalin-A-stimulated splenocytes. These results were similar to those obtained with montelukast as a positive control.ConclusionsCollectively, these results suggest that SCTE may be an effective oral treatment for allergic airway inflammation by virtue of its anti-inflammatory activity.

Highlights

In this study, we investigated the effect of Samchulkunbi-tang water extract (SCTE) in an established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma
Effects of SCTE on T-helper 2 (Th2)-type cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) Because SCTE reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF, we investigated the effects of SCTE on Th2-type cytokines by measuring the levels of IL-4, IL13, IL-33, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
Effects of SCTE on Th2-type cytokine production in splenocytes We examined the effects of SCTE on the production of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) by splenocytes

Summary

Introduction

We investigated the effect of Samchulkunbi-tang water extract (SCTE) in an established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The effects of SCTE on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, and total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity were measured. The chronic inflammation is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, at night or in the early morning These episodes are usually associated with widespread but variable airflow obstruction that is often reversible either insults from infectious agents, allergens, and pollutants [7] because the chronically inflamed asthmatic epithelium is more susceptible to injury than is normal epithelium. Measurement of exhaled NO has been suggested as helpful for monitoring airway inflammation in asthma, especially in cases of exacerbated asthma [9] Another important aspect of asthma is that the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level increases significantly in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), blood, and sputum of people with asthma [10]. The control of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and MMP-9 activities is an important aspect of asthma treatment

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Results

Conclusion