Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with no definite treatment and more research is needed to overcome this condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) as a medicinal plant on cytokine genes expression in an experimental mouse model of asthma. Adult mice were randomly divided into the following groups: control (C), untreated asthma (A), asthmatic groups treated with dexamethasone (D) and Z. multiflora extract (200, 400, and 800 μg/mL; Z1, Z2, and Z3, respectively), (for groups C, A, and D n = 5 and for groups Z1, Z2, and Z3 n = 6). For induction of the mouse model of asthma, animals were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA). The number of T helper (Th) subtype cells (using flow cytometry) and the levels of IFN-γ, FOXP3, IL-4, TGF-β, IL-17 gene expression (by real time PCR) were assessed in mice splenocytes. The observed changes in spleen cells of group A compared to group C were increased number of Th2 and Th17 cells, enhancement of gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β (p < 0.001 for all cases), reduction of Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratio (p < 0.001 for both cases) and decrease in gene expression of IFN-γ, FOXP3 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (p < 0.01 for IFN-γ and p < 0.001 for other cases). The observed changes in spleen cells of treated compared to untreated A group were enhancement of Treg cells and Th1/Th2 ratio (p < 0.001 for both cases), increase in IFN-γ (p < 0.05) and FOXP3 (p < 0.001) gene expression and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (p < 0.01) as well as reduction of Th2 and Th17 cells (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), decrease gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The findings showed that the extract of Z. multiflora decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in asthma (IL-4 and IL-17 and TGF-β) but increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ) gene expression and the number of Treg (FOXP3) in splenocytes of asthmatic mice which may indicate the specific therapeutic effect of the plant extract in allergy, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases via potentiating Th1 and suppressing Th2 and Th17 cells.
Highlights
There are a growing use of herbal medicines and natural products, especially in recent years
Subsets of T helper (Th) Lymphocytes and Th1/Th2 Balance in the Spleen of Asthmatic Mice In asthma group, Th2 and Th17 cells were significantly increased but Th1 cells was significantly decreased (p < 0.001 for all cases), while regulatory T cells (Treg) cells did not show significant change compared to the control group (Figures 3A,D, 4A,C, 5A)
Subsets of Lymphocytes and Th1/Th2 Balance in Asthmatic Animals Treated with Z. multiflora Extract and Dexamethasone Compared to untreated asthmatic group, Th2 and Th17 cells in asthmatic animals treated with all extract concentrations were significantly reduced (p < 0.01 for Th2 in Z1, and p < 0.001 for other cases; Figures 3B,D, 4C, 6A)
Summary
There are a growing use of herbal medicines and natural products, especially in recent years. Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) is native to Southwestern Asia such as Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kashmir (Manikandan et al, 2012). This plant contains compounds such as thymol and carvacrol which are likely to be responsible for its pharmacological effects. The plant traditionally used as an antibacterial agent for oral hygiene in Iran (Avicenna, 1985)
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