Studying of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of tectorigenin in ovalbumin-induced asthma mice models.

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is an important respiratory system problem characterized by airway inflammation, breathlessness, and bronchoconstriction. Allergic asthma and its outcomes are triggered by type 2 allergic immune responses. Tectorigenin is a methoxy-isoflavone with anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of tectorigenin on the pathophysiology of allergic asthma in an animal model. METHODS: Asthmatic mice were treated with tectorigenin. Then airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophil percentage, levels of interleukin (IL)-33, IL-25, IL-13, IL-5, IL-4, total and ovalbumin (OVA)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E, and lung histopathology were evaluated. RESULT: Tectorigenin significantly (P 〈 0.05) reduced eosinophil infiltration (41 ± 7%) in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum IL-5 level (41 ± 5, pg/mL), and bronchial and vascular inflammation (scores of 1.3 ± 0.2 and 1.1 ± 0.3, respectively) but had no significant effects on AHR, serum levels of IL-33, -25, -13, and -4 (403 ± 24, 56 ± 7, 154 ± 11, and 89 ± 6 pg/mL, respectively), total and OVA-specific IgE (2684 ± 265 and 264 ± 19 ng/mL, respectively), goblet cell hyperplasia, and mucus production. CONCLUSION: Tectorigenin could control inflammation and the secretion of inflammatory mediators of asthma, so it can be regarded as a potential antiasthma treatment with the ability to control eosinophilia-related problems.

Analysis of the Predictive Efficacy of Serum suPAR Combined with APN and IgE Test and the Relationship of Patients with CHF and Cardiac Function.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex cardiovascular disorder resulting from prolonged heart disease, leading to structural and functional damage, weakened myocardial contraction, and inadequate cardiac output for daily metabolism. The purpose of study is accurate evaluation and early identification of cardiac function and ventricular remodeling through effective biochemical indicators. Methods: This study, conducted from April 2020 to March 2021, included 100 CHF patients meeting the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Failure 2020 from First People's Hospital of Linping District, ascertaining a confirmed diagnosis based on these established guidelines. The objective of detecting these biomarkers is not for early diagnosis, given that the subjects are already diagnosed according to the guidelines. Instead, our focus is on using these biomarkers to assess disease severity, prognosis, or treatment response in the context of diagnosed CHF patients. Classification comprised 42 ischemic and 58 non-ischemic CHF cases, with NYHA cardiac function grading (I, II, III-IV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) categorization (≤ 40%, >40%). A control group of 100 healthy volunteers was selected for comparison. SuPAR, APN, and IgE expressions were analyzed among different groups and LVEF categories. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed through ROC curves, and correlations with cardiac function and LVEF were explored. Results: SuPAR, APN, and IgE expressions were significantly higher in CHF patients compared to the control group. Increasing cardiac function grades in CHF patients correlated with a gradual elevation in suPAR, APN, and IgE expressions. Comparing LVEF groups, CHF patients with LVEF ≤ 40% exhibited significantly higher suPAR, APN, and IgE expressions. Combined detection of suPAR, APN, and IgE demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.899) compared to individual markers. Positive correlations were observed between suPAR, APN, IgE, and cardiac function grades, while LVEF showed a significant negative correlation with these biomarkers. Conclusions: SuPAR, APN, and IgE expressions are elevated in CHF patients, and their combined detection serves as a highly efficient auxiliary diagnostic method. The findings offer valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of CHF patients.

Xin-Yi-Qing-Fei-Tang and its critical components reduce asthma symptoms by suppressing GM-CSF and COX-2 expression in RBL-2H3 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) XYQFT is composed of 10 herbs. According to the NHIRD, XYQFT is one of the top ten most commonly used TCM prescriptions for asthma treatment. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to explore whether XYQFT reduces asthma symptoms in a mouse model of chronic asthma and determine the immunomodulatory mechanism of mast cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were intratracheally (it) stimulated with 40 µL (2.5 µg/µL) of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) once a week for 6 consecutive weeks and orally administered XYQFT at 1 g/kg 30 min before Der p stimulation. Airway hypersensitivity, inflammatory cells in the BALF and total IgE in the blood were assessed in mice. In addition, RBL-2H3 cells (mast cells) were stimulated with DNP-IgE, after which different concentrations of XYQFT were added for 30 min to evaluate the effect of XYQFT on the gene expression and degranulation of DNP-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. After the compounds in XYQFT were identified using LC‒MS/MS, the PBD method was used to identify the chemical components that inhibited the expression of the GM-CSF and COX-2 genes in mast cells. RESULTS: The airway hypersensitivity assay demonstrated that XYQFT significantly alleviated Der p-induced airway hypersensitivity. Moreover, cell counting and typing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed a significant reduction in Der p-induced inflammatory cell infiltration with XYQFT treatment. ELISA examination further indicated a significant decrease in Der p-induced total IgE levels in serum following XYQFT administration. In addition, XYQFT inhibited the degranulation and expression of genes (IL-3, IL-4, ALOX-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, COX-2, TNF-α, and MCP-1) in RBL-2H3 cells after DNP stimulation. The compounds timosaponin AIII and genkwanin in XYQFT were found to be key factors in the inhibition of COX-2 and GM-CSF gene expression in mast cells. CONCLUSION: By regulating mast cells, XYQFT inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hypersensitivity and specific immunity in a mouse model of asthma. In addition, XYQFT synergistically inhibited the expression of the GM-CSF and COX-2 genes in mast cells through timosaponin AIII and genkwanin.

Effect of weekly vitamin D supplementation on the severity of atopic dermatitis and type 2 immunity biomarkers in children: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is common among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and often associated with severity. However, randomized trials of VD supplementation in AD have had equivocal results, and there is little information regarding the effect of VD supplementation on type 2 immunity in AD patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of VD supplementation to decrease severity of AD and to alter type 2 immunity biomarkers. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We randomly assigned 101 children with AD to weekly oral vitamin D3 (VD3) or placebo for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the Severity Scoring of AD (SCORAD). RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 6.3 ± 4.0 years, and baseline SCORAD was 32 ± 29. At baseline, 57% of children were VD deficient, with no difference between groups. Change in 25(OH)D was significantly greater with VD3 than placebo (+43.4 ± 34.5 nmol/L vs. +2.3 ± 21.2 nmol/L, p < 0.001). SCORAD change at 6 weeks was not different between VD and placebo (-5.3 ± 11.6 vs. -5.5 ± 9.9, p = 0.91). There were no significant between-group differences in change of eosinophil counts, total IgE, Staphylococcal enterotoxin specific IgE, CCL17, CCL22, CCL27, LL-37 or Staphylococcus aureus lesional skin colonization. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms FokI, ApaI and TaqI did not modify subjects' response to VD supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Among children with AD, weekly VD supplementation improved VD status but did not modify AD severity or type 2 immunity biomarkers compared to placebo (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01996423).

Modulation by Withania somnifera of stress-induced anxiogenesis and airway inflammation in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Stress is an aversive stimulus which disrupts the biological milieu of the organism and a variety of emotional and environmental stressors are known to influence allergic and immunological disorders like bronchial asthma but the pharmacological basis of such interactions is not clearly defined. Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a potent anti-stress agent used widely in Indian traditional medicine and the present experimental study evaluated the effects of W. somnifera extract (WSE) on chronic stress-induced neurobehavioral and immunological responses in an experimental model of allergic asthma in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats (200-250 g) were immunized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and exposed to restraint stress (RS) and WSE treatments for 15 days. Following this, anxiety behavior was assessed by the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and blood and BAL fluid samples were collected for measuring of inflammatory/immune markers by ELISA and biochemical assay. The data of the various treatment groups were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: Restraint stress (RS) induced anxiogenic behavior in the (EPM) test in OVA immunized rats, and this was attenuated by WSE (200 and 400 mg/kg), in a dose related manner. Examination of blood and BAL fluid in these RS exposed rats also resulted in elevations in IgE, TNF-α and IL-4 levels, which were also attenuated by WSE pretreatments. Further, WSE pretreatment neutralized the such RS induced changes in oxidative stress markers viz. elevated MDA and reduced GSH levels. CONCLUSIONS: The data pharmacologically validates role of stress in asthma and suggests that adaptogens like WSE could be a potential complementary agent for reducing anxiety as well as airway inflammation by a multi-targeted and holistic approach. The study also highlights the significance of integration of traditional and modern medical concepts in such chronic disorders.

Ozonated Sunflower Oil (OSO) Alleviates Inflammatory Responses in Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis (AD)-Like Mice and LPS-Treated RAW 264.7 Cells.

Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant molecule, is widely used as a complementary therapy for various skin diseases, including wound healing, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot, and infections. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of ozone for atopic dermatitis (AD). Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is an active ingredient obtained from partially ozonated sunflower oil (SO). OSO markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in IL-1ß and nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Oxazolone (OXZ) was applied to hairless mice to induce AD-like skin symptoms and immune response. OSO significantly alleviated the OXZ-induced increases in the number of infiltrating mast cells, epidermal thickness, AD symptoms, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and filaggrin, as well as the serum levels of NO, IgE, IL-1ß, and TNF-α. Furthermore, OSO inhibited the IL-4/STAT3/MAPK pathway and the expression of NF-κB. Our results suggest that OSO treatment could relieve AD-mediated skin damage through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, it can be used as a therapeutic agent against AD-related skin diseases.

Potential Anti-Allergy and Immunomodulatory Properties of Lactococcus lactis LB 1022 Observed In Vitro and in an Atopic Dermatitis Mouse Model.

Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium and used in the dairy food industry. The ameliorating effects of Lactobacillus species on atopic dermatitis (AD) have been extensively studied, but the specific effect of L. lactis strains has not yet been investigated. In this study, the efficacy of L. lactis LB 1022, isolated from natural cheese, was evaluated using RAW 264.7, HMC-1 and HaCaT cell lines and an ovalbumin-sensitized AD mouse model. L. lactis LB 1022 exhibited nitric oxide suppression and anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Oral administration of L. lactis LB 1022 to AD mice significantly reduced the levels of IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils, and a range of T cell-mediated T helper Th1, Th2, and Th17-type cytokines under interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). In addition, L. lactis LB 1022 treatment increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids. Overall, L. lactis LB 1022 significantly modulated AD-like symptoms by altering metabolites and the immune response, illustrating its potential as candidate for use in functional food supplements to alleviate AD.

Honokiol suppresses 2,6-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Magnolia officinalis constitutes a traditional Korean medicine used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, and honokiol is an active diphenyl compound present in Magnolia officinalis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of honokiol on atopic dermatitis in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The therapeutic effects of honokiol were evaluated in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis model. RESULTS: Administration of honokiol (10 mg/kg) significantly suppressed mast cell accumulation and inflammation induced by DNCB in skin tissues. Moreover, DNCB-induced increases in serum immunoglobulin E levels were reversed by honokiol treatment. In addition, DNCB-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, IL-17, and interferon-γ) in the skin and lymph nodes was significantly ameliorated by honokiol administration. Furthermore, the increase in lymph nodes sizes induced by DNCB treatment was reduced by honokiol administration. CONCLUSION: DNCB-induced atopic responses in the ears and lymph nodes were significantly suppressed by honokiol treatment. These results suggested that honokiol is a potential therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on total and allergen-specific IgE in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have yielded inconsistent findings for the relation between vitamin D level and total IgE or allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vitamin D supplementation reduces levels of total IgE and IgE to each of 2 common indoor allergens in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels. METHODS: Total IgE, IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and IgE to Blattella germanica were measured at the randomization and exit visits for 174 participants in the Vitamin D Kids Asthma Study, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation (4000 IU/d) to prevent severe exacerbations in children with persistent asthma and vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL. Multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis of the effect of vitamin D supplementation on change in each IgE measure. RESULTS: Participants were followed for an average of 316 days. At the exit visit, more subjects in the vitamin D arm achieved a vitamin D level equal to or more than 30 ng/mL compared with those in the placebo arm (87% vs 30%; P < .001). In a multivariable analysis, vitamin D3 supplementation had no significant effect on change in total IgE, IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, or IgE to Blattella germanica between the exit and randomization visits (eg, for log10 total IgE, ß = 0.007; 95% CI, -0.061 to 0.074; P = .85). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation, compared with placebo, has no significant effect on serum levels of total IgE, IgE to dust mite, or IgE to cockroach in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels.

Prevalence of inhaled allergen-specific IgE antibody positivity in the healthy Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to inhaled allergens is important for the diagnosis and risk evaluation of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of allergen sensitization among the healthy population in Japan using serum samples stocked in the Japanese Red Cross for blood donation. METHODS: Age- and gender-stratified serum samples (n = 800) from residents in Tokyo aged 20-59 years were randomly selected from the stocked serum obtained for blood donation in 2005. Total and specific IgE antibodies to 17 inhaled allergens were measured by the ImmunoCAP method. Individuals with positive (≥0.35 UA/mL) specific IgE antibodies to at least one inhaled allergen were defined as atopic. Stocked serums from donors aged 20-29 years in Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa (n = 200 each) were also obtained for the measurement of IgE to six common inhaled allergens, to evaluate regional differences in the rate of positivity. RESULTS: Among residents in Tokyo, the prevalence of atopy was 78.0% and highest in men aged 20-29 years (94.0%), which decreased with age. The prevalence of specific IgE antibodies was highest for Japanese cedar pollen (66.8%), followed by cypress pollen (46.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (38.3%), and moths (30.1%). Examination of IgE to Japanese cedar pollen, D. pteronyssinus, and moths identified 97.6% of atopic subjects in Tokyo. There were substantial regional differences in the prevalence of pollen IgE positivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an extremely high prevalence of positivity in inhaled allergen-specific IgE antibodies among healthy adults in Japan.

Issues surrounding consumer-bought food-allergy testing.

BACKGROUND: Allergy is increasingly reported by patients and members of the public, and there is evidence that the prevalence is increasing. Not all diagnoses have been made by clinicians, as direct-to-consumer (DTC) allergy tests are widely available online. AIM: To determine if DTC allergy tests are processed in accredited laboratories and utilize validated methods, while providing an overview of the DTC allergy tests available. METHODS: Internet searches using 'allergy test kit' and 'intolerance test' were performed to identify DTC food-allergy tests. Each company was contacted to enquire if they had ISO15189 accreditation, what methods of testing they used and what was the extent of individual clinical input used to guide the test requested or result interpretation. RESULTS: In total, 24 online companies providing DTC food-allergy testing were identified, of which 22 were contactable. One laboratory had ISO15189 accreditation, which was also the only laboratory using clinically recognized specific IgE testing and had a clinician involved in the process. Other laboratories used bioresonance or IgG and involved a nutritionist at most. CONCLUSION: Online DTC food-allergy tests are largely misleading to the consumer and provided by unaccredited laboratories using controversial methodology. The dermatologist must politely discount these results and assess the role of food allergy in a patient's skin disease on the merit of clinical history, supported by specific IgE testing as appropriate.

Allergenicity to worldwide invasive grass Cortaderia selloana as environmental risk to public health.

Allergies to grass pollen affects about 20% of the population worldwide. In the last few decades, the South American grass Cortaderia selloana (CS, Pampas grass) has expanded worldwide in a variety of countries including the USA, Australia and Western Europe. In many of these locations, CS has strikingly spread and has now been classified an invasive species. Many pernicious consequences of CS have been reported for local biodiversity, landscape and structures. However, the effect on human health has not been studied. To investigate this issue, we have chosen a European region on the northern cost of Spain where CS spread is overwhelming, Cantabria. We obtained CS pollen extract and analysed the allergenic reaction of 98 patients that were allergic to pollen of local grasses. We determined the skin reaction and the presence of specific IgE antibodies (sIgE) to CS or to a typical autochthonous grass, Phleum pratense. We also compared the seasonal symptoms with reported grass pollen counts in the area. The results strongly suggest that CS can cause respiratory allergies at a similar extent to the local grasses. Given that CS pollinises later than the local grasses, this would extend the period of grass allergies in the region for about three months every year, as stated by most of the patients. This is the first study reported on the effects of the striking expansion of CS on human health. Considering the strong impact that respiratory allergies have on the population, our results suggest that CS can currently constitute a relevant environmental health issue.

Prophylactic and Therapeutic Effects of Oral Immunotherapy on Birch Pollen-Induced Allergic Conjunctivitis in Mice with a Rice-Based Edible Vaccine Expressing a Hypoallergenic Birch Pollen Allergen.

We investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the oral administration of transgenic rice seeds expressing a hypoallergenic Bet v 1 derivative of allergic birch pollen conjunctivitis in mice. Transgenic rice seed depositing a chimeric molecule called TPC7 (tree pollen chimera 7) created by DNA shuffling of Bet v 1 family sequences from birch, alder and hazel in protein bodies of endosperm was generated. BALB/c mice were sensitized to birch pollen in alum and challenged with pollen in eyedrops. They were fed TPC7 transgenic or non-transgenic (control) rice seeds for 14 d before sensitization (prophylactic protocol) or 17 d after sensitization (therapeutic protocol). The clinical score and number of conjunctival eosinophils were significantly lower in TPC7-fed mice than in the control mice based on both the prophylactic and therapeutic protocols. Serum concentration of allergen-specific IgE did not differ between TPC7-fed and control groups in either protocol. Prophylactic administration of TPC7 downregulated the production of IL-4 and IFN-γ, whereas therapeutic administration of TPC7 upregulated the production of IFN-γ by allergen-stimulated splenocytes. Prophylactic or therapeutic oral administration of transgenic rice expressing TPC7 suppressed birch pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis in mice. Feeding transgenic rice is a potentially effective approach as an allergen-specific immunotherapy for allergic conjunctivitis.

Ding Chuan Tang Attenuates Airway Inflammation and Eosinophil Infiltration in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Asthmatic Mice.

Asthma is a T helper 2 (Th2) cell-associated chronic inflammatory diseases characterized with airway obstruction, increased mucus production, and eosinophil infiltration. Conventional medications for asthma treatment cannot fully control the symptoms, and potential side effects are also the concerns. Thus, complement or alternative medicine (CAM) became a new option for asthma management. Ding Chuan Tang (DCT) is a traditional Chinese herbal decoction applied mainly for patients with coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and asthma. Previously, DCT has been proved to improve children airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in a randomized and double-blind clinical trial. However, the mechanisms of how DCT alleviates AHR remain unclear. Since asthmatic features such as eosinophil infiltration, IgE production, and mucus accumulation are relative with Th2 responses, we hypothesized that DCT may attenuate asthma symptoms through regulating Th2 cells. Ovalbumin (OVA) was used as a stimulant to sensitize BALB/c mice to establish an asthmatic model. AHR was detected one day before sacrifice. BALF and serum were collected for immune cell counting and antibody analysis. Splenocytes were cultured with OVA in order to determine Th2 cytokine production. Lung tissues were collected for histological and gene expression analyses. Our data reveal that DCT can attenuate AHR and eosinophil accumulation in the 30-day sensitization asthmatic model. Histological results demonstrated that DCT can reduce cell infiltration and mucus production in peribronchial and perivascular site. In OVA-stimulated splenocyte cultures, a significant reduction of IL-5 and IL-13 in DCT-treated mice suggests that DCT may alleviate Th2 responses. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that DCT has the potential to suppress allergic responses through the reduction of mucus production, eosinophil infiltration, and Th2 activity in asthma.

Study Effect of Vitamin D on the Immunopathology Responses of the Bronchi in Murine Model of Asthma.

Allergic asthma is a complicated respiratory problem characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), breathlessness, mucus hyper-secretion, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Asthma is controlled by genetic and environmental factors. Allergy is the main trigger of asthma and is mediated by Th2 cytokines along with IgE production. Vitamin D (Vit D) is the main supplementary factor for the immune system. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Vit D on the exacerbation of allergic asthma. A murine model of allergic asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in four of five groups of studied female BALB/c mice (each group, n=20). One group was considered as control. Of OVA-induced mice, two groups received Vit D via oral (10,000 IU/kg diet) or intranasal (inhalation) forms (30 min on days 25, 27, and 29), and the third group received budesonide. At least, AHR, the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and INF-g in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum IgE and histamine, IL-25 and IL-33 gene expression, as well as histopathology study of the lung were done. The Penh values, type2 Cytokines in BALF (in both protein and molecular levels), total IgE and histamine, perivascular and peribronchial inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and mucus hypersecretion decreased significantly in both oral and intranasal Vit D-treated asthmatic mice groups, especially on day 38 of orally treated mice. Here, we found Vit D as a promising agent in control of allergic asthma with a remarkable ability to decrease the severity of inflammation. Therefore, Vit D sufficiency is highly recommended in asthmatic patients.

Cycloastragenol alleviates airway inflammation in asthmatic mice by inhibiting autophagy.

Cycloastragenol (CAG), a secondary metabolite from the roots of Astragalus zahlbruckneri, has been reported to exert anti­inflammatory effects in heart, skin and liver diseases. However, its role in asthma remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of CAG on airway inflammation in an ovalbumin (OVA)­induced mouse asthma model. The current study evaluated the lung function and levels of inflammation and autophagy via measurement of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), lung histology examination, inflammatory cytokine measurement and western blotting, amongst other techniques. The results demonstrated that CAG attenuated OVA­induced AHR in vivo. In addition, the total number of leukocytes and eosinophils, as well as the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)­5, IL­13 and immunoglobulin E were diminished in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the OVA­induced murine asthma model. Histological analysis revealed that CAG suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell secretion. Notably, based on molecular docking simulation, CAG was demonstrated to bind to the active site of autophagy­related gene 4­microtubule­associated proteins light chain 3 complex, which explains the reduced autophagic flux in asthma caused by CAG. The expression levels of proteins associated with autophagy pathways were inhibited following treatment with CAG. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that CAG exerts an anti­inflammatory effect in asthma, and its role may be associated with the inhibition of autophagy in lung cells.

Selenium Modulates the Allergic Response to Whey Protein in a Mouse Model for Cow's Milk Allergy.

Cow's milk allergy is a common food allergy in infants, and is associated with an increased risk of developing other allergic diseases. Dietary selenium (Se), one of the essential micronutrients for humans and animals, is an important bioelement which can influence both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the effects of Se on food allergy are still largely unknown. In the current study it was investigated whether dietary Se supplementation can inhibit whey-induced food allergy in an animal research model. Three-week-old female C3H/HeOuJ mice were intragastrically sensitized with whey protein and cholera toxin and randomly assigned to receive a control, low, medium or high Se diet. Acute allergic symptoms, allergen specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels and mast cell degranulation were determined upon whey challenge. Body temperature was significantly higher in mice that received the medium Se diet 60 min after the oral challenge with whey compared to the positive control group, which is indicative of impaired anaphylaxis. This was accompanied by reductions in antigen-specific immunoglobulins and reduced levels of mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1). This study demonstrates that oral Se supplementation may modulate allergic responses to whey by decreasing specific antibody responses and mMCP-1 release.

Lippia javanica (Zumbani) herbal tea infusion attenuates allergic airway inflammation via inhibition of Th2 cell activation and suppression of oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Lippia javanica (lemon bush) is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory ailments, including asthma in southern African countries but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-asthmatic effects of L. javanica using a rat model of asthma. METHODS: A 5% w/v L. javanica tea infusion was prepared and characterised by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Animals were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and subsequently challenged intranasal with OVA on day 15 except the control group. Animals were grouped (n = 5/group) for treatment: unsensitised control, sensitised control, sensitised + prednisolone and sensitised + L. javanica at 50 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day - equivalent to 1 and 2 cups of tea per day, respectively. After 2 weeks of treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count. Nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were also assessed in BALF. Ovalbumin specific IgE antibody and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-alpha were measured in serum. Lung and muscle tissues were histological examined. RESULTS: L. javanica was rich in phenolic compounds. OVA sensitisation resulted in development of allergic asthma in rats. L. javanica treatment resulted in a reduction in total WBC count as well as eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF. L. javanica inhibited Th2-mediated immune response, which was evident by a decrease in serum IgE and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-α. L. javanica treatment also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO, and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. Histology showed significant attenuation of lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, alveolar thickening, and bronchiole smooth muscle thickening. CONCLUSION: L. javanica suppressed allergic airway inflammation by reducing Th2-mediated immune response and oxidative stress in OVA-sensitized rats which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compound in the plant. This finding validates the traditional use of L. javanica in the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Yiqi Jiemin decoction alleviates allergic rhinitis in a guinea pig model by suppressing inflammation, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving cellular metabolism.

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Jiemin decoction (YJD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) model in guinea pigs. YJD significantly decreased infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the nasal mucosa of AR model guinea pigs. YJD also increased expression of TGF-ß in the nasal mucosa, restored the balance of Th1/Th2 immune cell responses, and decreased serum levels of various pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine (HA), neuropeptide Y (NPY), acetylcholine (ACH), norepinephrine and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Metabolic analyses using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that YJD improved cellular metabolism in AR model guinea pigs and increased serum levels of glycocholic acid while decreasing levels 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidic acid. RNA-sequencing analysis identified BPIFB2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for AR. Functional enrichment analyses showed that YJD significantly inhibited cytokine secretion pathways in AR model guinea pigs. These findings demonstrate that YJD protects against OVA-induced AR in guinea pigs by suppressing inflammation in the nasal mucosa, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving cellular metabolism.