RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The effects of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) on tracheal responsiveness (TR), total protein (TP), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interferon gamma (INF-γ) level and INF-γ/IL4 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of sensitized rats were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TR to methacholine and ovalbumin (OA), BALF levels of TP, PLA2 and IgE as well as IL-4, INF-γ and INF-γ/IL4 ratio were measured in control group (non-sensitized, group C), sensitized rats to OA (group S), S groups treated with two concentrations of ALA and dexamethasone group. RESULTS: TR to methacholine and OA, BALF levels of TP, PLA2, IgE and IL-4 were significantly increased but BALF level of INF-γ and INF-γ/IL4 ratio decreased in group S compared to group C (P<0.001 for all cases). Treated S groups with dexamethasone and both concentrations of ALA lead to significant decrease in TR to methacholine and OA, BALF levels of TP, PLA2, IgE and IL-4 compared to group S (P<0.001 for all case). The effects of all concentrations of ALA on INF-γ, IL-4 and INF-γ/IL4 ratio and also the effect of its highest concentration on TP and IgE level were significantly higher than dexamethasone treatment (P<0.001 for all cases). CONCLUSION: Results showed an immune modulatory effect of the ALA that increased INF-γ, INF-γ/IL4 ratio (as an index of Th1/Th2) and decreased IL-4 in sensitized rats. ALA also showed preventive effect on inflammatory markers and tracheal responsiveness in sensitized animals comparable to the effect of dexamethasone.

RESUMEN

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) was shown previously. In the present study, the effect of O. basilicum on tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and ovalbumin (OVA), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of oxidant-antioxidant biomarkers as well as total and differential white blood cell (WBC) in sensitized rats was examined. Six groups of rats including control (group C), sensitized rats to OVA (group S), S groups treated with three concentrations of O. basilicum (0.75, 1.50, and 3.00 mg/ml) and one concentration of dexamethasone (1.25 µg/ml) (n = 8 for all groups) were studied. TR to methacholine and OVA, total WBC count, percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils, and levels of oxidant biomarkers were significantly increased but other measured parameters were significantly decreased in group S compared to group C. TR to methacholine and OVA, percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils, and levels of oxidant biomarkers were significantly decreased but lymphocytes and antioxidant biomarkers were significantly increased in S groups treated with dexamethasone and at least two higher concentrations of the extract compared to group S. Total WBC count was also decreased in treated S groups with dexamethasone and high extract concentration. The effect of extract on most measured parameters was significantly lower than dexamethasone treatment. The effects of two higher concentrations of the extract on most variables were significantly higher than the effect of low extract concentration. These results showed the concentration-dependent effect of O. basilicum on tracheal responses, lung inflammatory cells, and oxidant-antioxidant parameters in sensitized rats.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Pulmón/efectos de los fármacos , Ocimum basilicum/química , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Tráquea/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/aislamiento & purificación , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Líquido del Lavado Bronquioalveolar/citología , Recuento de Leucocitos , Leucocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Pulmón/citología , Pulmón/inmunología , Cloruro de Metacolina/inmunología , Contracción Muscular/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso/inmunología , Ovalbúmina/inmunología , Oxidantes/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Ratas Wistar , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/inmunología , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/metabolismo , Tráquea/inmunología

RESUMEN

The effects of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) and its constituent, rosmarinic acid, on total and differential blood WBC, serum levels of NO2, NO3, MDA, thiol, SOD, and CAT in sensitized rats were examined. The study was performed in control animals (group C) and eight groups of sensitized rats to ovalbumin which were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of O. basilicum (O; 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 mg/mL), three concentrations of rosmarinic acid (R; 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL) and dexamethasone (1.25 µg/mL), (n = 6 for R treated and n = 8 for other groups). Total and differential WBC as well as serum concentrations of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers were measured in all groups. Serum levels of oxidant biomarkers, total WBC count, percentages of eosinophils and neutrophils were significantly increased but other measured parameters except monocytes were significantly decreased in group S compared to group C. Serum levels of oxidant biomarkers, total WBC count, percentages of eosinophils, neutrophils and monocytes were significantly decreased but other measured parameters were significantly increased in treated S groups with dexamethasone, extract, and rosmarinic acid compared to group S. The effects of the extract and rosmarinic acid on some measured variables were significantly higher than the effect of dexamethasone treatment. These results showed the effect of O. basilicum and its constituent, rosmarinic acid on inflammatory and oxidant parameters in sensitized rats which was comparable or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has shown various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the effects of curcumin on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features were evaluated in a rat model of asthma. METHODS: Tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features were evaluated in control rats (C), ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rats (as an animal model of asthma; A), A rats treated with curcumin (Cu, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60mg/ml) and dexamethasone (D, 1.25µg/ml), (n=8 in curcumin-treated groups and n=6 in other groups). Curcumin and dexamethasone were added to animals' drinking water during the sensitization period. RESULTS: Asthmatic group showed increased lung pathological score and tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and OVA compared to control group (p<0.01 to p<0.001). Pathological features including interstitial inflammation, interstitial fibrosis, bleeding, and emphysema as well as tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and OVA, were significantly decreased in treated groups with dexamethasone and all concentrations of curcumin compared to group A (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Epithelial damage was also significantly decreased in treated groups with the two higher concentrations of curcumin (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Curcumin showed preventive effects on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features in asthmatic rats.

Asunto(s)

Asma/prevención & control , Curcumina/farmacología , Pulmón/patología , Tráquea/fisiología , Animales , Asma/inducido químicamente , Asma/patología , Asma/fisiopatología , Dexametasona/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Contracción Isométrica/fisiología , Masculino , Cloruro de Metacolina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Cloruro de Metacolina/farmacología , Ovalbúmina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Ratas

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Rosmarinic acid (RA) as an active component of several medicinal plants, has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. In this study, the effect of RA on tracheal responsiveness (TR), lung inflammatory cells, oxidant biomarkers in sensitized rats were evaluated. METHODS: TR to methacholine and ovalbumin (OVA) as well as total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count and levels of nitrogen dioxide, nitrate, malondialdehyde, thiol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured in control (group C) rats, sensitized animals to OVA and given drinking water alone (group S), S groups receiving drinking water containing three concentrations of RA (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/mL) and dexamethasone (1.25 µg/mL), (n = 6 in each group). RESULTS: Increased TR to methacholine and OVA, total WBC count, percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils and levels of oxidant biomarkers but decreased other measured parameters were observed in group S compared to group C. Percentages of lymphocytes and antioxidant biomarkers were significantly increased but other measured parameters were significantly decreased in S group treated with dexamethasone and in rats treated with the two higher concentrations of RA compared to S group. The effect of RA medium concentration on percentage of eosinophils and RA high concentration on total WBC count and percentages of eosinophils and lymphocytes, were significantly higher than those of dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: These results showed the concentration-dependent effect of RA on tracheal responses, lung inflammatory cells and oxidant-antioxidant parameters which was comparable to that of dexamethasone at used concentrations in sensitized rats.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Cinamatos/farmacología , Depsidos/farmacología , Leucocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Contracción Muscular/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/prevención & control , Tráquea/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Líquido del Lavado Bronquioalveolar/química , Dexametasona/farmacología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Leucocitos/metabolismo , Cloruro de Metacolina , Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Músculo Liso/fisiopatología , Ovalbúmina , Ratas Wistar , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/sangre , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/metabolismo , Hipersensibilidad Respiratoria/fisiopatología , Tráquea/metabolismo , Tráquea/fisiopatología , Ácido Rosmarínico

RESUMEN

Achillea wilhelmsii have been used in folk remedies. The relaxant effects of the extract of A. wilhelmsii on tracheal chains of guinea pigs were examined. The relaxant effects of four cumulative concentrations of the extract, theophylline and saline were examined by their relaxant effects on precontracted tracheal chains of guinea pig by KCl (group 1), 10 µM methacholine (group 2), incubated tissues by atropine, propranolol and chlorpheniramine and contracted by KCl (group 3) and incubated tissues by propranolol and chlorpheniramine and contracted by methacholine (group 4). In group 1 and 2, all concentrations of theophylline and three higher concentrations (4, 6 and 8 mg/mL) of the extract showed significant relaxant effects compared to that of saline. In groups 3 and 4 experiments also all concentrations of the extract showed significant relaxant effects compared to that of saline. The relaxant effect of three higher concentrations (4, 6 and 8 mg/mL) of the extract in group 1 were significantly greater than those of group 2 and in group 3 were significantly lower than those of group 1. There were significant positive correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations for theophylline in groups 1 and 2 and the extract in all four groups of experiments. These results showed a potent relaxant effect for the extract from A. wilhelmsii on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. A muscarinc receptor blockade was also suggested for the extract.

RESUMEN

The stimulatory effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss (Labiatae) and carvacrol on ß-adrenoceptors was examined on guinea pig trachea. The effects of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, carvacrol, and propranolol (ß-receptor antagonist) on ß-adrenoceptors were tested in nonincubated (group 1, n = 8) and incubated tracheal chains with 1 µM chlorpheniramine (histamine H1 receptor antagonist) (group 2, n = 5). Isoprenaline (ß-receptor agonist) curves obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract and carvacrol showed leftward shifts compared with that of saline in both groups. In both groups, the EC50 (the effective concentration of isoprenaline, causing 50% of maximum response) obtained in the presence of all concentrations of the extract and carvacrol was significantly lower compared to that of saline (P < .01 to P < .001). All values of (CR-1: (EC50 in the presence of active substances/EC50 obtained in the presence of saline)-1) obtained in the presence of concentrations of the extract and carvacrol in both groups were negative and significantly different from that of propranolol (P < .001 for all cases). The results indicated a stimulatory effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss extract on ß(2)-adrenoceptors which is perhaps due to its constituent, carvacrol.