title: The extract of Zataria multiflora affect tracheal responsiveness, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine in sensitized Guinea pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different therapeutic effects for Zataria multiflora have been described in Iranian traditional medicine. In addition anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of this plant were previously described. The effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness (TR) and inflammatory mediators of sensitized guinea pigs was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone, drinking water containing three concentrations of the extract and dexamethasone. TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were measured (n=6, for each groups).
  
  
  RESULTS
  TR to methacholine and OA, serum levels of NO, nitrite, PLA2, TP and histamine were increased in sensitized animals compared to control group (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Treatment of sensitized animals with dexamethasone and most concentration of the extract lead to significantly decrease in all measured parameters compared to sensitized group (p<0.05 to p<0.001) except TP and histamine levels in treated group with dexamethasone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of Zataria multiflora on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO, nitrite, total protein, PLA2 and histamine in sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 177948564 Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Electronic address: boskabadymh@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Boskabady
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Payam Noor University, 19395-4697 Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Sediqeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jalali
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 177948564 Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Farkhondeh
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 177948564 Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Goltaj
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Byrami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2 / Q000097:blood*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000097:blood*; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009573:Nitrites; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2
keywords: Asthma; Inflammation; Sensitization; Tracheal Responsiveness; Zataria multiflora