Airway
inflammation and remodeling in chronic
asthma are characterized by airway
eosinophilia,
hyperplasia of smooth muscle and goblet cells, and subepithelial
fibrosis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of
DA-9201, an ethanolic extract of black rice (Oryza sativa L.), on airway
inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of chronic
asthma. BALB/c mice sensitized to
ovalbumin (OVA) were chronically challenged with aerosolized OVA for 6 weeks.
DA-9201 (30, 100, or 300 mg/kg) or
dexamethasone (3 mg/kg) was orally administered during the last 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. Airway
inflammation, lung pathology by histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry,
IgE level and Th2
cytokines were evaluated. The OVA-treated mice showed extensive
eosinophilia, chronic inflammatory responses and characteristics of
airway remodeling including subepithelial
fibrosis, smooth muscle
hypertrophy, and goblet cell
hyperplasia. As compared to the OVA-treated control group, treatment with
DA-9201 resulted in significant reductions in the accumulation of eosinophils in peribronchial areas, chronic
pulmonary inflammation and progression of
airway remodeling. Furthermore,
DA-9201 significantly reduced total serum and BALF
IgE levels and Th2
cytokines. These results indicate that
DA-9201 may play an important role in attenuating the progressing of airway
inflammation and remodeling and suggest the potential benefits of
DA-9201 in prevention or treatment of
asthma.