Protective effect of Asarum sieboldii essential oil on ovalbumin induced allergic rhinitis in rat

Abies holophylla Leaf Essential Oil Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis Based on Network Pharmacology

Abies holophylla is an evergreen coniferous species that has been widely used for treating pulmonary diseases and colds. Previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of Abies species and the anti-asthmatic activities of Abies holophylla leaf essential oil (AEO). As asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) share pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutic interventions, AEO inhalation can also ameliorate upper respiratory allergic diseases. This study explored the protective effects of AEO on AR with network pharmacological pathway prediction. The potential target pathways of AEO were analyzed by a network pharmacological approach. The BALB/c mice were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA) and 10 μm particular matter (PM₁₀) to induce allergic rhinitis. Aerosolized AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% were delivered by nebulizer for 5 min a day, 3 times a week for 7 weeks. Nasal symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), histopathological changes in nasal tissues, serum IgE, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expressions on nasal tissues were analyzed. After AR induction with OVA+PM₁₀ and inhalation of AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% treatment, AEO significantly decreased allergic symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), hyperplasia of nasal epithelial thickness, goblet cell counts, and serum IgE level. The network analysis demonstrated that the possible molecular mechanism of AEO is highly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway and tight junction. The target pathway of AEO was investigated in RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cells. Treatment of AEO on PM₁₀-treated nasal epithelial cells significantly reduced the production of inflammatory mediators related to the IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-κB, and the MAPK signaling pathway and prevented the reduction in TJ-related factors. When taken together, AEO inhalation may be considered as a potential treatment for AR by alleviating nasal inflammation and recovering the tight junction.

Exploring the Potential Effects and Mechanisms of Asarum sieboldii Radix Essential Oil for Treatment of Asthma

Asthma, a common chronic pulmonary disorder characterized by airway remodeling, hyperresponsiveness and obstruction, can be aggravated by repeated exposure to particulate matter (PM). The potential effect and mechanisms of Asarum sieboldii Radix essential oil (AEO) against asthma were explored based on network pharmacology. AEO was pre-treated using a nebulizer for 3 weeks and the mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and PM10 with the co-treatment of AEO for 4 weeks. In addition, A549 lung epithelial cells were sensitized with PM10 to investigate the underlying mechanisms of AEO regarding the lung-fibrosis-related mediators. The target genes of methyl eugenol, a main compound of AEO, were highly matched by 48% with the gene set of asthma. AEO markedly inhibited the increase in epithelial thickness through the accumulation of goblet cells in the airways. Collagen deposition in the lung tissues of OVA+PM10-challenged asthmatic mice was significantly decreased by AEO. AEO also inhibited the influx of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as the increases in serum IgE and IgG2a and cytokines in the lung tissues. Furthermore, AEO regulated the expressions of fibrotic mediators, especially POSTN and TGF-β. In conclusion, we expect that AEO can be one of the effective alternative therapeutics to relieve asthma.

miR-223-3p targets FBXW7 to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor diagnosed in women. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the world. Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of miR-223-3p in breast cancer progression and metastasis.

METHODS

qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression levels of miR-223-3p in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Wound healing and Matrigel assays were used to examine cell motility and invasiveness. FBXW7 3'-UTR construct and luciferase reporter assays were performed for the target gene.

RESULTS

miR-223-3p was overexpressed in breast cancer tissue and cell lines. A high level of miR-223-3p was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. In addition, overexpressed miR-223-3p promoted the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that tumor suppressor gene FBXW7 is a target of miR-223-3p. Luciferase activity reporter assay indicated miR-223-3p could directly bind with the 3'-UTR of FBXW7. miR-223-3p exhibited its oncogenic role partly by decreasing FBXW7 expression, and consequently promoted the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed a physical and functional relationship among miR-223-3p and FBXW7. By negatively regulating FBXW7 expression, miR-223-3p exerts a tumor promotion role promoting cell invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.

The Immuno-Modulatory Activities of Pentaherbs Formula on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mice via the Activation of Th1 and Treg Cells and Inhibition of Th2 and Th17 Cells

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a highly prevalent allergic disease induced by immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated hypersensitivity reaction at the nasal epithelium against inhaled allergens. Previous studies have demonstrated that Pentaherbs formula (PHF), a modified herbal formula comprising five herbal medicines (Flos Lonicerae, Herba Menthae, Cortex Phellodendri, Cortex Moutan and Rhizoma Atractylodis), could suppress various immune effector cells to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis. The present study aimed to further determine the anti-inflammatory activities of PHF in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR BALB/c mouse model. Nasal symptoms such as sneezing and nose rubbing were recorded and the serum total IgE and OVA-specific IgG1, as well as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, chemokines CXCL9 CXCL10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations in nasal lavage fluid (NALF) were measured during different treatments. Effects of PHF on the expression of inflammatory mediators in the sinonasal mucosa were quantified using real-time QPCR. PHF was found to suppress allergic symptoms, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the nasal epithelium of the OVA-induced AR mice. PHF could reduce OVA-specific IgG1 level in serum, and TNF-α and IL-10 in nasal lavage fluid (NALF), significantly up-regulate the splenic regulatory T (Treg) cell level, increase the Type 1 helper T cell (Th1)/Type 2 helper T cell (Th2) ratio, and reduce the Th17 cells (all p < 0.05). PHF could also alleviate in situ inflammation in sinonasal mucosa of OVA-induced AR mice. In conclusion, oral treatment of PHF showed immuno-modulatory activities in the OVA-induced AR mice by regulating the splenic T cell population to suppress the nasal allergy symptoms and modulating inflammatory mediators, implicating that PHF could be a therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis.

Ajwain oil attenuates allergic response of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis via alteration of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and Th1/Th2 responses

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immune inflammatory-related disorder that affects the nasal mucosa. Free radicals play a crucial role in the expansion of allergic reaction and the researcher used the antioxidant therapy to treat the disease. Trachyspermum ammi L. (Ajwain oil) is popular traditional medicine. It has been proved their potential effect on various diseases. Ajwain oil showed anti-tumor, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. Yet, the anti-allergic effect of Ajwain oil is still not explored. In this experimental study, an ovalbumin (OVX)-induced AR model was used to scrutinize the anti-allergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Ajwain oil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OVX was used to establish the AR model (sensitization days 1, 8, and 15) and given the oral treatment of Ajwain oil and Montelukast for 13 days. The spleen, lungs, and body weight were estimated. Sneezing, nasal discharge and rubbing are also estimated. Immunoglobin-E (IgE), histamine, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and inflammatory cytokines were scrutinized.

RESULTS

Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) suppressed sneezing, nasal discharge and nasal rubbing along with increasing the spleen, lung and body weight. Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) decreased the level of IgE, histamine, MDA, Nrf2, HO-1, and increased the level of SOD. Ajwain oil significantly (p < .001) suppressed the number of eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and epithelial cells. Ajwain oil significantly prevented the activation of the NF-κBp65 and STAT3 signaling pathways that led to enhancing the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reducing the inflammatory, allergen-specific type 2T helper cells (Th2), Th17 cytokines.

CONCLUSION

The obtained data suggests that Ajwain oil has a promising anti-allergic against allergic rhinitis in mice via anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Allergic rhinitis is a serious life-threatening disease. Inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the expansion of AR diseases. Ajwain oil considerably increased the spleen weight and reduced lung weight. Ajwain oil suppressed the nasal rubbing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Ajwain oil considerably suppressed the immunoglobin and inflammatory cytokines. The result suggests that Ajwain oil having the potential effect against the allergic rhinitis.

Micro-RNAs: A safety net to protect hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal

The hematopoietic system is sustained over time by a small pool of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). They reside at the apex of a complex hierarchy composed of cells with progressively more restricted lineage potential, regenerative capacity, and with different proliferation characteristics. Like other somatic stem cells, HSCs are endowed with long-term self-renewal and multipotent differentiation ability, to sustain the high turnover of mature cells such as erythrocytes or granulocytes, and to rapidly respond to acute peripheral stresses including bleeding, infections, or inflammation. Maintenance of both attributes over time, and of the proper balance between these opposite features, is crucial to ensure the homeostasis of the hematopoietic system. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally upon binding to specific mRNA targets. In the past 10 years they have emerged as important players for preserving the HSC pool by acting on several biological mechanisms, such as maintenance of the quiescent state while preserving proliferation ability, prevention of apoptosis, premature differentiation, lineage skewing, excessive expansion, or retention within the BM niche. miRNA-mediated posttranscriptional fine-tuning of all these processes constitutes a safety mechanism to protect HSCs, by complementing the action of transcription factors and of other regulators and avoiding unwanted expansion or aplasia. The current knowledge of miRNAs function in different aspects of HSC biology, including consequences of aberrant miRNA expression, will be reviewed; yet unsolved issues will be discussed. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development.

A two-step strategy for quality control of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian, an ointment patch

Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian, an ointment patch which is composed of Tetradium ruticarpum and Asarum sieboldii Miquel, can be used for curing recurrent oral ulcers owing to its good bioactivities. Currently, the lack of a method for its quality evaluation hinders the development and clinical application of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian. Thus, it is necessary to perform research on quality control. The chromatographic fingerprint, as an identification method, and the simultaneous determination method for two bioactive constituents, evodiamine and rutecarpine, can be used to evaluate the quality of traditional medicine. In this study, a two-step strategy including fingerprint analysis for identification and a simultaneous determination method for two bioactive constituents was performed for Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian quality control. The fingerprint analysis was validated by stability, precision and repeatability tests and a similarity evaluation was performed with 10 selected characteristic fingerprint peaks of 10 batches of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian patch. Meanwhile, the simultaneous determination method was evaluated by methodological experiments, including linearity, accuracy, repeatability, stability and feasibility. Finally, the results indicate that this two-step strategy, including HPLC fingerprint analysis and simultaneous determination method, can be successfully applied for the assessment of the quality and quantity of Xin-Yu-Tie-Pian.

Yiqi Jiemin decoction alleviates allergic rhinitis in a guinea pig model by suppressing inflammation, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving cellular metabolism

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Jiemin decoction (YJD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) model in guinea pigs. YJD significantly decreased infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the nasal mucosa of AR model guinea pigs. YJD also increased expression of TGF-β in the nasal mucosa, restored the balance of Th1/Th2 immune cell responses, and decreased serum levels of various pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine (HA), neuropeptide Y (NPY), acetylcholine (ACH), norepinephrine and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Metabolic analyses using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that YJD improved cellular metabolism in AR model guinea pigs and increased serum levels of glycocholic acid while decreasing levels 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidic acid. RNA-sequencing analysis identified BPIFB2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for AR. Functional enrichment analyses showed that YJD significantly inhibited cytokine secretion pathways in AR model guinea pigs. These findings demonstrate that YJD protects against OVA-induced AR in guinea pigs by suppressing inflammation in the nasal mucosa, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving cellular metabolism.

Anti-Allergic Rhinitis Effects of Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Metabolites via Suppression of the Immune System: A Mechanistic Review

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa and it is an immunoglobulin E-mediated disease. The incidence and prevalence of AR globally have been escalating over recent years. Antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, decongestants, intranasal anticholinergics, intranasal cromolyn, leukotriene receptor antagonists and immunotherapy have been used in the treatment of AR. However, there is a need to search for more effective and safer remedies as many of the current treatments have reported side effects. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally to relief symptoms of AR but their efficacy and safety have not been scientifically proven. In this review, up-to-date reports of studies on the anti-allergic rhinitis of several medicinal plants and their bioactive metabolites through suppression of the immune system are compiled and critically analyzed. The plant samples were reported to suppress the productions of immunoglobulin E, cytokines and eosinophils and inhibit histamine release. The suppression of cytokines production was found to be the main mechanistic effect of the plants to give symptomatic relief. The prospect of these medicinal plants as sources of lead molecules for development of therapeutic agents to treat AR is highlighted. Several bioactive metabolites of the plants including shikonin, okicamelliaside, warifteine, methylwarifteine, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, tussilagone, petasin, and mangiferin have been identified as potential candidates for development into anti-allergic rhinitis agents. The data collection was mainly from English language articles published in journals, or studies from EBSCOHOST, Medline and Ovid, Scopus, Springer, and Google Scholar databases from the year 1985-2020. The terms or keywords used to find relevant studies were allergic rhinitis OR pollinosis OR hay fever, AND medicinal plant OR single plant OR single herb OR phytotherapy. This comprehensive review serves as a useful resource for medicinal plants with anti-allergic rhinitis potential, understanding the underlying mechanisms of action and for future exploration to find natural product candidates in the development of novel anti-allergic rhinitis agents.

The protective effect of Naringenin against ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in rats

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a ubiquitous chronic disease with a growing incidence. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of naringenin against AR induced in rats.

METHODS

Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. Group 1 represented the control group. The other 24 rats were sensitized with intraperitoneal 0.3 mg ovalbumin (OVA) and 30 mg aluminum hydroxide every other day for 14 days to induce AR. Ten microliters OVA was administered to both nostrils by inhalation for the following seven days to provoke AR. Group 2 represented the AR group and received no treatment. Group 3 was treated as the reference group and received 5 mg/kg desloratadine every day between days 15 and 21. Group 4 received 100 mg/kg naringenin orally between days 15 and 21. All animal's sneezing and nasal itching scores were recorded on day 22. The rats were then sacrificed. Serum total IgE, IL4 and IL5 values were studied, and nasal structures were extracted 'en bloc' for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Significant clinical recovery was achieved in the group treated with naringenin. Serum total IgE, IL4 and IL5 values in the naringenin group were significantly lower than in the AR group, and significant histopathological improvement was observed compared to the AR group.

CONCLUSIONS

Naringenin produced significant clinical, biochemical and histopathological benefits in rats with induced AR. These effects suggest that naringenin is a promising agent for the treatment of AR.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Safrole and Methyl Eugenol after Oral Administration of the Essential Oil Extracts of Asarum in Rats by GC-MS

Asarum is a traditional medicine and has been widely used as remedies for inflammatory diseases, toothache, headache, local anesthesia, and aphthous stomatitis in China, Japan, and Korea. Our previous research found that safrole and methyl eugenol were vital compounds that contribute to distinguish the different species and raw Asarum and its processed products apart. The pharmacokinetics of safrole and methyl eugenol after oral administration of Asarum extract has not been reported yet. In this study, a rapid and simple gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) method that has a complete run time of only 4.5 min was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of safrole and methyl eugenol in rat plasma after administration of Asarum extracts. The chromatographic separation was realized on a DB-17 column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm). And detection was carried out under selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Plasma samples were pretreated by n-hexane. The pharmacokinetic parameters provided by this study will be beneficial for further developments and clinical applications of Asarum.

Immunomodulative Effects of Chamaecyparis obtusa Essential Oil in Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

The present study aims to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (EOCO) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized and stimulated with OVA. From day 22 to 35, 0.01% and 0.1% ECOC was intranasally administered 1 h before OVA stimulation. Nasal symptoms, as well as serum total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, were measured. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and their production by activated splenocytes were measured. Histological changes in the sinonasal mucosa were evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining procedure. Th cytokines and their transcription factor mRNA expressions were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Intranasal EOCO administration significantly suppressed allergic symptoms, OVA-specific IgE level, sinonasal mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration, and mucus-producing periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive cell count. EOCO also significantly inhibited IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α levels in NLF and activated splenocytes. Th2 and Treg related cytokines and their transcription factors in sinonasal mucosa were significantly suppressed through intransal EOCO instillation. In conclusion, repetitive EOCO intranasal instillation showed anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects by suppressing nasal symptoms and inhibiting the production and expression of inflammatory mediators in the OVA-induced AR mouse model.