Abstract
In this study, we evaluated effect of glycyrrhizin on immunity function in allergic rhinitis (AR) mice. The AR mice model were induced by dripping ovalbumin in physiological saline (2 mg mL−1, 10 μL) into the bilateral nasal cavities using a micropipette. After the AR model was induced, mice were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control, model, lycopene 20 mg kg−1 (as positive control drug) group, and glycyrrhizin 10, 20, 30 mg kg−1 groups. After the sensitization day 14, lycopene (20 mg/kg BW) and glycyrrhizin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg BW) were given orally for 20 days once a day. Mice in the normal control and model groups were given saline orally once a day for 20 days. Results showed that glycyrrhizin treatment could dose-dependently significantly reduce blood immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitrous oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and nitrous oxide synthase (NOS) activity and enhance blood immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in AR mice. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin treatment could dose-dependently significantly enhance acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and reduce substance P (SP) level in peripheral blood and nasal mucosa of AR mice. We conclude that glycyrrhizin can improve immunity function in AR mice, suggesting a potential drug for the prevention and therapy of AR.
Highlights
In Chinese traditional medicine, licorice (Gan Cao) remains one of the oldest and most commonly prescribed herbs, used in the treatment of numerous ailments ranging from tuberculosis to peptic ulcers [1]
Allergic rhinitis (AR) results from a complex allergen-driven mucosal inflammation occurring from a vicious cycle between resident and infiltrating inflammatory cells, a number of inflammatory mediators including cytokines and neurotransmitters leading to sensory nerve activation, plasma leakage, and congestion of venous sinusoids [17]
Glycyrrhizin exhibits a number of pharmacological effects, including antiinflammation, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, anti-carcinogenesis, and immunomodulation [21,22,23,24]
Summary
In Chinese traditional medicine, licorice (Gan Cao) remains one of the oldest and most commonly prescribed herbs, used in the treatment of numerous ailments ranging from tuberculosis to peptic ulcers [1]. Licorice has held claim for therapeutic use for fevers, liver ailments, dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, sore throats, asthma, bronchitis, Addison’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis and has been used as a laxative, antitussive and expectorant [2,3,4]. Glycyrrhizin is a triterpene glycoside extracted from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). It consists of an 18-β-H-oleanane-type structure that combines with two sugar molecules (glucuronic acids) at the C-3 position. The presence of the symptoms is perceived as a disturbing element in itself, in a recent patient survey, 85% of the patients felt that their daily activities, those relating to their professional, personal and social life, their outdoor activities and their ability to function properly at work or at school and their sleep were impaired either moderately or severely. We selected glycyrrhizin and evaluated its effect on immunity function in AR mice
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