To investigate the effect of
farnesol on allergic
asthma, three
farnesol doses were extra-added into AIN-76 feed consumed by
ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized and -challenged mice continuously for 5 weeks, at approximately 5, 25, and 100 mg
farnesol/kg, BW/day. The results showed that there were no significant differences in
body weight, feed intake, and visceral organ weights between the
farnesol supplementation and dietary control groups.
Farnesol supplementation decreased
interleukin (IL)-6/IL-10 level ratios in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).
Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) restored the
cytokine secretion ability of peritoneal macrophages that was suppressed as a result of OVA sensitization and challenge and slightly decreased
tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)/IL-10
cytokine secretion ratios.
Farnesol supplementation slightly (P > 0.05) decreased
IL-4 but significantly (P < 0.05) increased
IL-2 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, implying that
farnesol might have a systemic
antiallergic effect on allergic asthmatic mice.
Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased
IL-10 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, suggesting that
farnesol might have an anti-inflammatory potential to allergic asthmatic mice. Overall, our results suggest that
farnesol supplementation may be beneficial to improve the Th2-skewed allergic asthmatic
inflammation.