In-vivo Screening for the Antiasthmatic Potential of Salicin through the Murine Models of Asthma and Airway Remodeling

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the antiasthmatic potential of salicin in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in two phases: clonidine-induced catalepsy (Phase I) and ovalbumin (OVA) induced lung inflammation (Phase II). In Phase I, 36 Swiss Albino mice were pretreated with clonidine (1 mg/kg) subcutaneously for induction of catalepsy. Different doses of salicin (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) and pheniramine maleate (10 mg/kg) were administered through the oral route, and the cataleptic score was calculated. In Phase II, 36 Albino Wistar rats were sensitized and challenged with 1 mg OVA absorbed on 20 mg aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) intraperitoneally on days 0, 7, and 14 followed by the treatment with salicin doses (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg). Blood parameters, including total cells (TC), eosinophils (EOS), neutrophils (NEU), and macrophages (MAC), were recorded. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were collected from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Levels of OVA-specific IgE were estimated from spleens, Peyer’s patches, and mesenteric lymph nodes of rats. Results: Animals treated with salicin showed a significant reduction (P-value <0.05) in cataleptic scores. Significant reduction (P-value <0.05) in levels of TC, NEU, EOS, and MAC was observed in animals treated with salicin. Levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and IL13 also reduced significantly (P-value <0.05) in salicin-treated animals. The concentration of OVA-specific IgE reduced significantly (P-value <0.05) in salicin-treated animals. Conclusion: Salicin ameliorates catalepsy and lung inflammation in asthmatic conditions.