Abstract
Yijin-tang is an oriental traditional herb used to treat inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of Yijin-tang water extract (YTE) using an ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced asthma model, focusing on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the herb. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with OVA on days 0 and 14 and then challenged with OVA on days 21, 22, and 23. The animals were orally administered YTE (200 and 400 mg/kg) from days 18 to 23, and this was found to significantly decrease airway hyperresponsiveness and release of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E in mice with asthma. In addition, YTE was associated with a marked reduction in airway inflammation and mucus production in lung tissue of mice with asthma. Furthermore, YTE suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and phosphorylation of ERK in the lungs, which in turn led to a reduction in inducible nitric oxide synthases and an elevation in reduced glutathione and heme oxygenase-1. In conclusion, YTE effectively suppressed allergic responses in mice with asthma and the effect was closely related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the herb. Our results indicate that YTE may be a potential agent for the treatment of allergic asthma.
Highlights
Asthma is a life-threatening disease that affects human health, and its prevalence is increasing annually [1]
Effect of Yijin-tang water extract (YTE) on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in Mice with Asthma. e OVA group exhibited a significant elevation in AHR compared with the CON group (Figure 2)
YTE groups showed a notable reduction in AHR in comparison to the OVA group; the decrease was more evident in the YTE-400 group
Summary
Asthma is a life-threatening disease that affects human health, and its prevalence is increasing annually [1]. It is caused by various allergens, air pollutants, and chemicals, characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and mucus overproduction [2]. E mechanisms underlying asthma are known to be very complicated and are associated with various factors such as cytokines, chemokines, and oxidative stress. Ese factors induce eosinophil-rich inflammation, mucus overproduction, and AHR [1]. Search has been dedicated to developing asthma treatments based on the various factors that cause asthma [4, 5]. Oxidative stress is closely related to the development and exacerbation of asthma [6]. An imbalance in the oxidant/ antioxidant system of an organism triggers the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively), worsening asthmatic responses [7]
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