Reduction of Allergic Rhinitis by Controlling the Th2 Differentiation of Douchi Hataedock

Abstract

Objectives This study investigated the effects of Douchi Hataedock on Th2-skewed conditions to control allergic rhinitis. Methods NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups: 10 mice were assigned to the control group (CTRL; no treatment), 10 mice to allergic rhinitis-induced (ARE) without treatment group, and 10 mice to the allergic rhinitis-induced (FGT) after Douchi Hataedock treatment group. The 3-week-old mice of the FGT group were given one 10 mg/kg dose of Douchi Hataedock extract and resensitized to allergic antigens at weeks four, five, and six. Allergic rhinitis was induced primarily in mice nasal cavities for five days after one week of final sensitization. The second induction used the same method one week after the first induction was completed. After one week, the nasal mucosal tissues of each group were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, STAT6, CD40, FcεRI, substance P, MMP-9, NF-κB p65, p-IkB, and iNOS in the nasal mucosa was also performed. Results The FGT group had less respiratory epithelial damage and less mucin secretion in goblet cells than the ARE group and showed a 62% decrease in IL-4, 85% decrease in STAT6, 71% decrease in CD40, 69% decrease in FcɛRI, 43% decrease in substance P, 49% decrease in MMP-9, 43% decrease in NF-kB p65, 38% decrease in p-IkB, and 73% decrease in iNOS compared to the ARE group. Conclusions Douchi Hataedock lessens inflammation in epithelial and goblet cells and reduces inflammatory mediator secretion in a mouse allergic rhinitis model. Keywords: Hataedock, Douchi, allergic rhinitis, Th2 skewed condition, inflammation