title: An extract of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit attenuates airway inflammation by modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in ovalbumin induced asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn) has long been used as a herbal medicine in Asia and Europe. It has been used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial weakness, tachycardia, hypertension and arteriosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Crataegus pinnatifida ethanolic extracts (CPEE) on Th2-type cytokines, eosinophil infiltration, expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and other factors, using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Airways of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. CPEE was applied 1 h prior to OVA challenge. Mice were administered CPEE orally at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg once daily on days 18-23. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected 48 h after the final OVA challenge. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in BALF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Lung tissue sections 4 µm in thickness were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production with PAS staining, in conjunction with ELISA, and Western blot analyses for the expression of MMP-9, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 protein expression. CPEE significantly decreased the Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-5 levels, reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and airway hyperresponsiveness, suppressed the infiltration of eosinophil-rich inflammatory cells and mucus hypersecretion and reduced the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 and the activity of MMP-9 in lung tissue of OVA-challenged mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed that CPEE can protect against allergic airway inflammation and can act as an MMP-9 modulator to induce a reduction in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. In conclusion, we strongly suggest the feasibility of CPEE as a therapeutic drug for allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: Basic Herbal Medicine Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Mee Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Hyekyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Chang Seob
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Jong-Choon
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeun Kyoo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D027825:Crataegus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010047:Ovalbumin; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9