title: Effect of Hedera helix on lung histopathology in chronic asthma.
abstract: Hedera helix is widely used to treat bronchial asthma for many years. However, effects of this herb on lung histopathology is still far from clear. We aimed to determine the effect of oral administration of Hedera helix on lung histopathology in a murine model of chronic asthma.BALB/c mice were divided into four groups; I (Placebo), II (Hedera helix), III (Dexamethasone) and IV (Control). All mice except controls were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Then, mice in group I received saline, group II 100 mg/kg Hedera helix and group III 1 mg/kg dexamethasone via orogastic gavage once daily for one week. Airway histopathology was evaluated by using light and electron microscopy in all groups.Goblet cell numbers and thicknesses of basement membrane were found significantly lower in group II, but there was no statistically significant difference in terms of number of mast cells, thicknesses of epithelium and subepithelial smooth muscle layers between group I and II. When Hedera helix and dexamethasone groups were compared with each other, thickness of epithelium, subepithelial muscle layers, number of mast cells and goblet cells of group III were significantly ameliorated when compared with the group II. Although Hedera helix administration reduced only goblet cell counts and the thicknesses of basement membrane in the asthmatic airways, dexamethasone ameliorated all histopathologic parameters except thickness of basement membrane better than Hedera helix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Division of Allergy, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey. arbabayigit@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Arzu Babayigit
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hocaoglu
authors.forename: Ozkan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Duygu Olmez
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Erge
authors.forename: Guven
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erbil
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Bijen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kivcak
authors.forename: H Alper
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bagriyanik
authors.forename: Nevin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uzuner
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D035981:Hedera; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010047:Ovalbumin; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010047:Ovalbumin