The extract of Zataria multiflora affect tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine in sensitized Guinea pigs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Different therapeutic effects for Zataria multiflora have been described in Iranian traditional medicine. In addition anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of this plant were previously described. The effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness (TR) and inflammatory mediators of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone, drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract and dexamethasone. TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were measured (n=6, for each groups). RESULTS: TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were increased in sensitized animals compared to control group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Treatment of sensitized animals with dexamethasone and most concentration of the extract lead to significantly decrease in all measured parameters compared to sensitized group (p<0.05 to p<0.001) except TP and histamine levels in treated group with dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO, nitrite, total protein, PLA2 and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.

The effect of safranal, a constituent of Crocus sativus (saffron), on tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of cytokines, total NO and nitrite in sensitized guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: The effect of safranal (one of the constituents of Crocus sativus) on ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized guinea pigs was examined. METHODS: One group of sensitized guinea pigs were given drinking water alone (group S), three groups drinking water containing three concentrations of safranal and one group contain dexamethasone (S + D). Tracheal responses (TR) of the animals to methacholine as effective concentration causing 50% of maximum response (EC(50) M), TR to 0.1% OVA, relative to contraction induced by 100 µM methacholine, IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite levels in serum were measured. RESULTS: The TR to both methacholine and OVA, the level of total NO, nitrite and IL-4 significantly increased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was decreased in group S compared controls (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The TR to both methacholine and OVA in treated animals with dexamethasone and all concentrations of safranal were significantly decreased compared to S group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The level of serum IL-4 in treated guinea pigs was significantly decreased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was increased compared to S group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The levels of total NO and nitrite were significantly decreased in treated groups compared to sensitized group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results showed a preventive effect for safranal on tracheal responses and serum cytokine, total NO and nitrite levels as well as increased Th1/Th2 balance in sensitized guinea pigs.

The Extract of Crocus sativus and Its Constituent Safranal, Affect Serum Levels of Endothelin and Total Protein in Sensitized Guinea Pigs.

OBJECTIVE(S): The effect of the extract of Crocus sativus and its constituent, safranal on inflammatory markers in sensitized guinea pigs was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs were given drinking water alone (group S), or drinking water containing three concentrations of safranal, three concentrations of extract and one concentration of dexamethasone, (n=6, for all groups) and serum levels of endotheline-1 (ET-1) and total protein (TP) were assessed. RESULTS: Serum levels of ET-1 and TP in group S were significantly higher than control group (P<0.01 for ET-1 and P<0.001 TP). Treatment of S animals with dexamethasone, most concentrations of the extract and safranal significantly reduced serum levels of ET-1 and TP compared to group S (P <0.01 to P <0.001). The effects of one concentration of the extract and safranal were significantly higher than dexamethasone (P <0.05 to P <0.01). CONCLUSION: A preventive effect of the extract of C. sativus and its constituent safranal on serum inflammatory markers in sensitized guinea pigs was shown.

The effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Achillea millefolium on muscarinic receptors of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate one possible mechanism for the observed relaxant effect of A. millefolium (Achillea millefolium), in the present study the inhibitory effect of the extract of this plant on muscarinic receptors was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, 10 nM atropine, and saline on muscarinic receptors were tested in three conditions: In non incubated tracheal smooth muscle (group 1), tracheal chain incubated with propranolol and chlorpheniramine (group 2), and the one incubated with propranolol (group 3). RESULTS: The EC50 obtained in the presence of all three concentrations of the extract were significantly higher compared to saline in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 in group 2 and 3 respectively). The EC50 obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract in group 2 were significantly improved compared to groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The maximum responses to methacholine in presence of only the higher concentration of the extract (0.8 mg/ml) was significantly lower than that of saline in groups 1 (P < 0.05). There was neither significant difference between slopes of methacholine-response curves obtained in the presence of different concentrations of the extract and that of saline nor between the three groups. The values of (CR-1), obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract, were significantly lower compared to atropine in the first group but were not significantly different in other groups. The values of (CR-1) obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract were significantly improved in groups 2, compared to groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results showed an inhibitory effect for the extract of A. millefolium on muscarinic receptors of tracheal smooth muscle. A histamine (H1) receptor blockade was also suggested for the extract.

The effect of the extract of Crocus sativus on tracheal responsiveness and plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite in ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs.

UNLABELLED: ETHNOMEDICAL RELEVANCE: Anti-inflammatory, anti oxidant and effect of Crocus sativus (C. sativus) on Th1/Th2 balance were described previously. AIM OF THE STUDY: The preventive effects of the extract of Crocus sativus on tracheal responsiveness and plasma levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite were examined on sensitized guinea pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OVA), were given drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract of Crocus sativus, dexamethasone (S+D) or alone (group S). Tracheal responses (TR) of control animals (group C) and sensitized guinea pigs (n=6, for each group) to methacholine, OVA and the levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite in serum were examined. RESULTS: The TR to both methacholine and OVA, the levels of serum IL-4, total NO and nitrite in S guinea pigs were significantly increased but that of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (Th1/Th2 balance) were decreased compared to the controls (p<0.05 to p<0.001). In the treated animals with dexamethasone and all concentrations of the extract, TR to both methacholine and OVA, IL-4, total NO and nitrite were significantly decreased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increased compared to S group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). The effects of the highest concentration of the extract was greater than those of other concentrations and the effect of dexamethasone (p<0.05 to p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results not only showed a preventive effect of C. sativus extract on tracheal responses and serum levels of inflammatory mediators in sensitized guinea pigs but also showed increased Th1/Th2 balance.