Effects of astilbic acid on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma.

Abstract

Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic lung inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway remodeling. Astilbic acid, extracted from the medicinal herb Astilbe chinensis, is used as a headache remedy in traditional medicine and has anti-pyretic and analgesic effects. However, the effect of astilbic acid on asthma remains to be established. In the present study, we therefore examined the effect of astilbic acid in a mouse model in which asthma was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). Astilbic acid inhibited OVA-induced AHR to inhaled methacholine and significantly suppressed the levels of T-helper 2-type cytokines (including IL [interleukin]-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and inflammatory cells (including eosinophils) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Histochemical analysis revealed reduced goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus production, as well as attenuated eosinophil-rich leukocyte infiltration, in the astilbic acid-treated group, compared with OVA-challenged mice. Moreover, the compound significantly inhibited synthesis of IL-4-, IL-5-, IL-13-, IL-17-, and eotaxin-encoding mRNA following asthma induction in lung tissue, in addition to suppressing the immunoglobulin E (IgE) response to asthma in both BAL fluid and serum. Our results indicate that astilbic acid has great potential as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of asthma.

• Authors: Ji-Eun Yuk, Mee-Young Lee, Ok-Kyoung Kwon, Xing-Fu Cai, Ha-Young Jang, Sei-Ryang Oh, Hyeong-Kyu Lee, Kyung-Seop Ahn
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 266-73 (Feb 2011) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21168540 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 3beta,6beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cytokines
• Immunoglobulin E
• Oleanolic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, immunology)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (cytology, immunology)
• Cytokines (immunology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Molecular Structure
• Oleanolic Acid (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, isolation & purification, therapeutic use)
• Respiratory System (drug effects, immunology)
• Saxifragaceae (chemistry)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (drug effects, immunology)