Abstract
BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR), characterized by sneezing, nasal itching and rhinorrhea, affects a large number of population. This study aimed to explore the effects of artemisinin alone or combined with neurectomy of pterygoid canal in ovalbumin-induced AR mouse model and illustrate the underlying mechanisms.MethodsAllergic symptoms were evaluated to verify inhibitory effect of artemisinin alone or combined with neurectomy of pterygoid canal on AR. Serum levels of histamine, immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory factors TNF, INF-γ, IL-1β IL-10, IL-4 and IL-5 were measured by ELISA. The mRNA levels of TNF, INF-γ, IL-1β and IL-10 in local lymph nodes were measured by RT-qPCR. The total and phosphorylated levels of ERK and JNK were assessed by Western blot. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T (Treg) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsArtemisinin significantly relieved the behavior symptoms of AR mice. The administration of artemisinin strikingly suppressed the expression of histamine, IgE and inflammatory factors. An increased Treg cell proportion and inhibited ERK phosphorylation were observed in artemisinin-treated groups as compared to those in the AR group. Moreover, artemisinin plus neurectomy of pterygoid almost abolished the behavioral score increase in AR mice.ConclusionsThese results indicated that artemisinin exhibited anti-allergic effect by inhibiting ERK activation and increasing Treg cell proportion, which subsequently decreased the expressions of allergic mediators. In addition, artemisinin combined with neurectomy of pterygoid showed better efficacy than artemisinin alone.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis (AR), characterized by sneezing, nasal itching and rhinorrhea, affects a large number of population
The administration of artemisinin strikingly suppressed the expression of histamine, OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory factors including TNF, INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-5
Artemisinin combined with neurectomy of pterygoid almost abolished the behavioral score increase in OVA-induced mice
Summary
Allergic rhinitis (AR), characterized by sneezing, nasal itching and rhinorrhea, affects a large number of population. This study aimed to explore the effects of artemisinin alone or combined with neurectomy of pterygoid canal in ovalbumin-induced AR mouse model and illustrate the underlying mechanisms. Allergic rhinitis (AR), a nasal mucosal inflammation resulting from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity reaction, is characterized by sneezing, nasal itching, nasal obstruction, in any combination [1, 2]. The activated inflammatory cells release several allergic mediators, such as histamine, Previous studies have reported that some natural plant products, such as Piperine, Citrus sunki and Zataria multiflora, possess anti-allergic effect on AR in animal models [2, 5, 6]. Previous studies have shown that artemisinin possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects [13, 14]
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