Amelioration of airway inflammation and pulmonary edema by Teucrium stocksianum via attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulation of AQP1 and AQP5.

Current study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of T. stocksianum using mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The mice were treated with methanolic extract, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions for consecutive 7 days along with intranasal challenge. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) were evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The data showed that T. stocksianum significantly reduced airway inflammation as indicated by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in lungs, and attenuated total and differential leukocyte counts both in blood and BALF. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-5 in lungs were also found significantly reduced. T. stocksianum significantly reduced pulmonary edema as indicated by reduced lung wet/dry ratio and goblet cell hyperplasia. AQP1 and AQP5 expression levels were also found elevated in treatment groups. In conclusion, T. stocksianum possesses anti-asthmatic activity which may be attributed to reduction in IL-4 and IL-5 expression levels, and elevation in AQP1 and AQP5 expression levels.

Amelioration of allergic asthma by Ziziphora clinopodioides via upregulation of aquaporins and downregulation of IL4 and IL5.

Ziziphora clinopodioides has been frequently used as an anti asthmatic plant in traditional medication. Recent work explores the anti-asthmatic activity of Z. clinopodioides in allergen-induced asthmatic mice. Intraperitoneal sensitization followed by intranasal challenge were given with ovalbumin (allergen) to develop allergic asthma. Investigational groups of animals were administered with drug methylprednisolone (MP) (15 mg/kg body weight), n-hexane fraction, ethylacetate fraction, and methanolic extract of Z. clinopodioides extract (500 mg/kg b.w.) for successive 07 days. Hematoxyline and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains were used to evaluate histopathological parameters on lung tissues. As an index of lungs tissues edema, wet/dry weight ratio of lungs was determined. Evaluation of expression levels of AQP1, AQP5, IL4, and IL5 was conducted by using RT-PCR. The data exhibited that both Z. clinopodioides and MP attenuated differential and total leukocyte counts in hematological examination i.e. in BALF and blood. Treatment with Z. clinopodioides also caused suppression of inflammatory cell infiltration and expression levels of IL4 and IL5, the later could have caused attenuation of pulmonary inflammation. The study also found decline in lung wet/dry ratio and goblet cellh hyperplasia in treated groups which indicates amelioration of lung edema. Treatment with Z. clinopodioides significantly increased the expression levels of aquaporin-1 and -5, which could have led to reduction in lung edema. The treatment with MP showed comparable results to Z. clinopodioides. Current investigation revealed that Z. clinopodioides possessed anti-asthmatic property which might be accredited to upregulagted AQP1 and AQP5 levels and downregulated IL4 and IL5 levels.

Ziziphora clinopodioides ameliorated rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory paw edema in different models of acute and chronic inflammation.

Ziziphora clinopodioides has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. Current study is believed to first time report the potential of Z. clinopodioides extracts to ameliorate joint inflammation using model of chronic joint inflammation (FCA-induced rheumatoid arthritis). The study further investigates the effects on joint inflammation using acute inflammatory paw edema models. The anti-inflammatory effects were also supported by using xylene-induced ear edema model. Results showed that Z. clinopodioides significantly ameliorated rheumatoid arthritis as indicated by the inhibition of arthritic development and paw edema. Histopathological examination showed significant attenuation in pannus formation, bone erosion, and joint inflammation. Treatment with the plant extracts also nearly normalized counts of RBCs, platelets, and total leukocytes along with hemoglobin (Hb) content. Biochemical analysis (AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine) showed that plant extracts did not possess hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects. Water displacement plethysmometric analysis showed that Z. clinopodioides significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced paw edema. To evaluate the mechanism, anti-inflammatory effects were further evaluated using histamine- and serotonin-induced inflammatory paw edema models. Z. clinopodioides significantly suppressed paw edema induced by both histamine and serotonin, and also caused the inhibition of xylene-induced ear edema. This suggested the inhibition of autacoids as one of the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects of plant. GC-MS analysis showed that the plant is rich in essential oils, including terpenoids, esters, alcohols, furans, cyclic ketones, epoxides, oxanes, and acyclic hydrocarbons. In conclusion, current study demonstrated that Z. clinopodioides possessed significant anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties which might be attributed to the inhibition of autacoids.