Abstract
BackgroundOcimum species (Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, and wound healing. The Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) leaves was examined in ovalbumin sensitized animals.MethodsWistar rats were divided to six groups; non-sensitized, sensitized to ovalbumin, sensitized and treated with dexamethasone (1.25 μg/mL), and O. basilicum extract (0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 mg/mL) in drinking water for 21 days. The levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, immunoglobulin E (IgE), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and total protein (TP) in BALF, and lung pathological changes were examined.ResultsA significant increase in IL-4, IgE, PLA2 and TP levels, all lung pathological indices as well as significant decrease in IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was seen in the asthmatic compared to the control rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Treatment with O. basilicum extract resulted in decreased IL-4, IgE, PLA2 and TP levels, but increased IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio compared to untreated sensitized rats (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001). The plant significantly improved the pathological changes of sensitized rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). The improvement effects of higher concentrations of the O. basilicum extract were significantly more than those of dexamethasone (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001).ConclusionThe improvement effects of O. basilicum on pathological changes, immunological and inflammatory markers in sensitized rats comparable or even more potent than dexamethasone suggests the therapeutic potential of the plant in asthma.
Highlights
Ocimum species (Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, and wound healing
The effect of the O. basilicum extract on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of IFN-γ, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) BALF level of IFN-γ in S group was not significantly different compared to C group
BALF level of IL-4 in S + D, S + Ocimum basilicum (OB) 0.75, S + OB 1.50 and S + OB 3.00 groups were significantly lower than S group
Summary
Ocimum species (Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, and wound healing. Airway inflammation and tissue remodeling of the airway structure are two main pathophysiologic characteristic of asthma which mediated by numerous cells and their mediators [1, 2]. Among the known medicinal herbs, the plants of genus Ocimum species, from Lamiaceae family, showed various therapeutic potentials. The leaves of these plants are used to relieve toothaches, sore throats, coughs, colds, bronchitis, laryngitis, nasal congestion and inflammation of the mouth and throat [13, 14]. The antiinflammatory and immune modulatory effects of this plant may result in improved asthma. The safety of the plant in animal and human models has been confirmed [22]
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