Anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in ovalbumin‐sensitized rat

Abstract

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin have been shown. In this study, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in sensitized rat were evaluated. Six groups of rats including control (C), ovalbumin-sensitized (as a rat model of asthma, S), S groups treated with curcumin (Cu 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/mL), and 1.25 μg/mL dexamethasone (S + D) were studied. Curcumin and dexamethasone were given in animals' drinking water during sensitization period. Total and differential WBC count, PLA2, TP, IFN-γ, IL-4, IgE, oxidant, and antioxidant biomarker levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined. Total WBC, neutrophil and eosinophil counts, levels of PLA2, TP, IgE, IL-4, NO2 , NO3 , and MDA in BALF were increased but lymphocyte percentage, SOD, CAT, thiol, and IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased in S animals compared to controls (P < 0.001 for all cases). Treatment with all concentrations of curcumin significantly improved total WBC, PLA2, TP, IgE, IL-4, IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, SOD, thiol, NO2 , and NO3 compared to S group (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001). Two higher concentrations of curcumin significantly decreased neutrophil and eosinophil counts and MDA level but increased IFN-γ, CAT and lymphocyte values compared to S group (P < 0.001 for all cases). Dexamethasone treatment also significantly improved most of the measured parameters (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) but it did not change IL-4 and IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of curcumin with more specific immunomodulatory effect on Th1/Th2 balance compared to dexamethasone in sensitized rats was shown. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(4):567-576, 2017.