Aqueous extract of the Helianthus annuus seed alleviates asthmatic symptoms in vivo.
Molecular inflammation is a pivotal process in various degenerative immune diseases, including asthma and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we examined the effects of Helianthus annuus seed (HAS) aqueous extract on an in vivo anti-asthmatic model. Ovalbumin-induced mice were orally administered the aqueous extract of Helianthus annuus seeds, and their lungs were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, the expression levels of IL-4/IL-13 cytokines and IgE were determined. HAS extract induced a decrease in CD4+ cell number, IL-4/IL-13 expression, and IgE secretion levels in the lungs. Our findings collectively suggest that the HAS extract has considerable potential in reducing the asthma-like symptoms induced by a mouse ovalbumin challenge model. However, further isolation and purification of the extract is required to determine the specific factor(s) responsible for its anti-asthmatic activity.
Heo
Jin-Chul
JC
Food and Bio-Industry Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.
Woo
Sang-Uk
SU
Kweon
Mi-Ae
MA
Park
Ja-Young
JY
Lee
Hee Kyung
HK
Son
Minsik
M
Rho
Jae-Rang
JR
Lee
Sang-Han
SH
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006368:Helianthus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D010047:Ovalbumin; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000378:metabolism*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
D010936:Plant Extracts; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D010047:Ovalbumin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide