title: The effect of safranal, a constituent of Crocus sativus (saffron), on tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of cytokines, total NO and nitrite in sensitized guinea pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of safranal (one of the constituents of Crocus sativus) on ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized guinea pigs was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  One group of sensitized guinea pigs were given drinking water alone (group S), three groups drinking water containing three concentrations of safranal and one group contain dexamethasone (S + D). Tracheal responses (TR) of the animals to methacholine as effective concentration causing 50% of maximum response (EC(50) M), TR to 0.1% OVA, relative to contraction induced by 100 μM methacholine, IL-4, IFN-γ, total NO and nitrite levels in serum were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TR to both methacholine and OVA, the level of total NO, nitrite and IL-4 significantly increased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was decreased in group S compared controls (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The TR to both methacholine and OVA in treated animals with dexamethasone and all concentrations of safranal were significantly decreased compared to S group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The level of serum IL-4 in treated guinea pigs was significantly decreased but IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was increased compared to S group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The levels of total NO and nitrite were significantly decreased in treated groups compared to sensitized group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed a preventive effect for safranal on tracheal responses and serum cytokine, total NO and nitrite levels as well as increased Th1/Th2 balance in sensitized guinea pigs.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: mhboskabady@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Boskabady
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Goltaj
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Byrami
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feizpour
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D053138:Cyclohexenes; D016207:Cytokines; D009573:Nitrites; D013729:Terpenes; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D015847:Interleukin-4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C087963:safranal; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Cytokines; Inflammatory markers; Safranal; Sensitized animals; Tracheal responsiveness