ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study the effects of Mangifera indica extract and its major component mangiferin on lung inflammation response and Th2 cytokine production using a murine experimental model of allergic asthma. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with 10 µg of ovoalbumin (OVA) adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide on days 0, 7 and 14. Seven days after the last injection, the mice were challenged with 2% aerosolized OVA inhalation for 30 min beginning on day 21 and continuing until day 24. To evaluate the protective effect, mice were orally treated with M. indica extract (50, 100 or 250 mg/kg) or mangiferin (50 mg/kg) from days 0 to 24. Anti-OVA immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were determined by ELISA and lungs were analysed by histology. KEY FINDINGS: M. indica extract and mangiferin produced a marked reduction of airway inflammation around vessels and bronchi, inhibition of IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lymphocyte culture supernatant, IgE levels and lymphocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION: This is the first pre-clinical report of the anti-inflammatory properties of M. indica extract and mangiferin in experimental asthma and it could be an important part of pre-clinical requirement necessary for its use to complement the treatment of this complex disease.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Asthma/drug therapy , Inflammation/drug therapy , Mangifera/chemistry , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Xanthones/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Asthma/immunology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Immunoglobulin E/metabolism , Inflammation/immunology , Interleukin-4/metabolism , Interleukin-5/metabolism , Lung/drug effects , Lung/immunology , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Ovalbumin , Plant Bark , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Stems , Th2 Cells/metabolism , Xanthones/isolation & purification , Xanthones/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Vimang is the brand name of formulations containing an extract of Mangifera indica L., ethnopharmacologically used in Cuba for the treatment of some immunopathological disorders, including bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases. However, the effects of Vimang on allergic response have not been reported until now. In this study, the effects of Vimang and mangiferin, a C-glucosylxanthone isolated from the extract, on different parameters of allergic response are reported. Vimang and mangiferin showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of IgE production in mice and anaphylaxis reaction in rats, histamine-induced vascular permeability and the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from rat mast cells, and of lymphocyte proliferative response as evidence of the reduction of the amount of B and T lymphocytes able to contribute to allergic response. In these experiments, ketotifen, promethazine and disodium cromoglicate were used as reference drugs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Vimang had an effect on an in-vivo model of inflammatory allergy mediated by mast cells. These results constitute the first report of the anti-allergic properties of Vimang on allergic models, as well as suggesting that this natural extract could be successfully used in the treatment of allergic disorders. Mangiferin, the major compound of Vimang, contributes to the anti-allergic effects of the extract.