Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. seed extract on toluene diisocyanate-induced immune-mediated inflammatory responses in rats

Six New Phenolic Glycosides from the Seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

Plant-derived phytochemicals have recently drawn interest in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). The seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. are widely used in food and herbal medicine for their health-promoting properties against various diseases, including DM, but many of their effective constituents are still unknown. In this study, 6 new phenolic glycosides, moringaside B-G (1-6), together with 10 known phenolic glycosides (7-16) were isolated from M. oleifera seeds. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) data analysis. The absolute configurations of compounds 2 and 3 were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 2 and 3 especially are combined with a 1,3-dioxocyclopentane moiety at the rhamnose group, which are rarely reported in phenolic glycoside backbones. A biosynthetic pathway of 2 and 3 was assumed. Moreover, all the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase. Compounds 4 and 16 exhibited marked activities with IC50 values of 382.8 ± 1.42 and 301.4 ± 6.22 μM, and the acarbose was the positive control with an IC50 value of 324.1 ± 4.99 μM. Compound 16 revealed better activity than acarbose.

Supplementation of syringic acid-rich Phrynium pubinerve leaves imparts protection against allergic inflammatory responses by downregulating iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions

Background

The present study was designed to characterize the role of ethanolic leaf extract of Phrynium pubinerve Blume (EPP) supplement in attenuating allergic inflammation, encouraged by the presence of syringic acid in it, as this phenolic acid is reportedly promising in suppressing serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokine levels.

Materials and methods

HPLC-DAD dereplication analysis was performed to determine the presence of the vital polyphenolic metabolites. The efficacy of EPP against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated by measuring its inhibitory effects on NO and ROS/RNS production. The expressions of major inflammation-associated molecules (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α) in RAW 264.7 cells were assessed through Western blot. Physiological and behavioral changes, BMI, and different biochemical parameters in mice blood serum were investigated in the toxicological assays. Formaldehyde-induced paw edema test in mice was conducted using established animal model. TDI-induced allergic model in mice was carried out to determine different allergy-like symptoms, and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The intermolecular interaction analysis of the identified major metabolite of EPP with H1R and iNOS was studied by molecular docking.

Results

HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of syringic acid (89.19 mg/100 g EPP) and a few other compounds. LPS-induced NO generation was reduced by EPP in a concentration-dependent manner, showing IC₅₀ of 28.20 ± 0.27 μg/mL. EPP exhibited a similar inhibitory effect on ROS/RNS production with IC₅₀ of 29.47 ± 2.19 μg/mL. Western blotting revealed that EPP significantly downregulated the expressions of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells when challenged with LPS. The toxicological assays confirmed the dosage and organ-specific safety of EPP. In the formaldehyde-induced paw edema test, EPP caused a 66.41% reduction in mice paw volume at 500 mg/kg dose. It ameliorated TDI-induced allergy-like symptoms and decreased different inflammatory WBCs in mice's blood and BAL fluid in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, syringic acid demonstrated mentionable intermolecular binding affinity towards H1R (-6.6 Kcal/moL) and iNOS (-6.7 Kcal/moL).

Conclusions

Collectively, considerable scientific reasoning was obtained in favor of the suppressive potential of EPP against allergic inflammatory responses that are proposed to be exerted via the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions, H1R antagonism and suppression of cytokines, such as IL-6, and TNF-α.

Isothiocyanate From Moringa oleifera Seeds Inhibits the Growth and Migration of Renal Cancer Cells by Regulating the PTP1B-dependent Src/Ras/Raf/ERK Signaling Pathway

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tropical and subtropical plant that has been used for centuries as both food and traditional medicine. 4-[(α-L-Rhamnosyloxy) benzyl] isothiocyanate (MIC-1) is an active substance in M. oleifera, with anti-cancer activity. However, whether MIC-1 exerts anti-renal cancer effects is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of MIC-1 on the growth and migration of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells and to identify the putative underlying mechanism. We found that, among 30 types of cancer cells, MIC-1 exerted the strongest growth inhibitory effects against 786-O RCC cells. In addition, MIC-1 (10 μM) significantly inhibited the growth of five RCC cell lines, including 786-O, OSRC-2, 769-P, SK-NEP-1, and ACHN cells, but was not toxic to normal renal (HK2) cells. Also, MIC-1 suppressed 786-O and 769-P cell migration and invasion abilities, and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, MIC-1 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and decreased cell cycle-related protein expression in 786-O cells and 769-P cells. Molecular docking and small-molecule interaction analyses with PTP1B both showed that MIC-1 inhibited PTP1B activity by binding to its active site through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, MIC-1 could suppress the growth and migration of 786-O cells by inhibiting PTP1B-mediated activation of the Src/Ras/Raf/ERK signaling pathway. In vivo experiments further showed that MIC-1 markedly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in mice, and greatly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in tumor tissues. In addition, MIC-1 had no effect on the PTP1B-dependent Src/Ras/Raf/ERK signaling pathway in HCT-116 cells, Hep-G2 cells, and A431 cells. Overall, our data showed that MIC-1 could be a promising, non-toxic, natural dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of renal cancer.

Toxicological screening and evaluation of anti-allergic and anti-hyperglycemic potential of Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. fruits

Background

Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. (S. caseolaris) belonging to the Sonneratiaceae family is commonly known as Ora. It is traditionally used as an astringent, antiseptic, to treat sprains, swellings, cough and in arresting hemorrhage. The ethanolic extract of S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. fruits was investigated in the present study for its toxicity as well as anti-allergic and anti-hyperglycemic potentials.

Methods

Major phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC. Behavioral change, body weight, mortality and different blood parameters were measured to assess the toxicological effect of the extract. Anti-allergic activity was evaluated using TDI-induced allergic model mice. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and STZ-induced diabetic mice were used to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic activity.

Results

Crude extract contained ellagic acid, vanillic acid and myrecitin (27.41, 3.06 and 7.93 mg per 100 g dry extract respectively). No major toxicity was observed in both acute and sub-acute toxicity study. Oral administration of the extract significantly ameliorated TDI-induced allergic symptoms like sneezing, scratching, swelling, redness and watery rhinorrhoea in the experimental mice. The extracts also reduced the total and differential count of leukocytes in the blood. The extract treated mice showed significant reduction in blood glucose, SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine and bilirubin level.

Conclusions

S. caseolaris contains bioactive phytoconstituents which may be the possible precursors to isolate and characterize the novel compounds targeting the diseases like allergy and diabetes.

Expanding the anti-inflammatory potential of Moringa oleifera: topical effect of seed oil on skin inflammation and hyperproliferation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Popularly used in India and sub-Hymalaian region, Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is associated with healing properties demonstrated in its use as treatment of acute and chronic skin diseases. Our study aimed at investigating the effects of M. oleifera seed oil (MOSO) in animal models for inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MOSO was analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperproliferative effects of treatment with either MOSO or oleic acid (OA), its main constituent, was evaluated. Acute and chronic inflammation was induced by applying 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and acute inflammation with either Arachidonic Acid (AA) or Phenol onto the ear of Swiss mice. Systemic activity and the influence of glucocorticoid receptors (GC) was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Topical application of MOSO and OA inhibited ear edema caused by TPA, and Phenol. Only MOSO inhibited ear edema induced by AA. Neutrophil migration was also inhibited by treatment with MOSO. Topical application of MOSO, but not OA, significantly reduced chronic skin inflammation and epidermal hypertrophy induced by multiple TPA applications. Pre-treatment with GC antagonist mifepristone reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of MOSO and OA on the TPA model. Repeated administration of MOSO show a similar effect to dexamethasone on thymus weight, though MOSO did not present any influence on skin thickness, as well as in the weight of the spleen, adrenal gland and lymph node.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that MOSO is effective as a treatment for skin diseases that rely on keratinocyte hyperproliferation. OA is also effective in acute inflammation. Both MOSO and OA depend on GC activation for anti-inflammatory effect but do not exhibit the same adverse effects seen in topical treatment with dexamethasone. We hereby evidence the use of MOSO as a topical anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory skin diseases, thus, expanding its therapeutic potential.

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on growth performance, physiological and immune response, and related immune gene expression of Macrobrachium rosenbergii with Vibrio anguillarum and ammonia stress

In order to study the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on Macrobrachium rosenbergii under high ammonia exposure, freshwater prawns were randomly divided into five groups: a control group was fed with basal diet, and four treatment groups fed with basal diet supplemented with 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0% M. oleifera leaf extract and 0.025% Enrofloxacin for 60 days, respectively. Then, freshwater prawns were exposed to high ammonia stress for 72 h and Vibro anguillarum infection. The growth, antioxidant capabilities, related immune genes as well as resistance to infection by V. anguillarum were determined. The results showed that compared with the control group, the weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency rate, haemolymph catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased while feed conversion ratio, haemolymph aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, nitrogen oxide (NO), hepatopancreas heat shock proteins (HSP70), immune deficiency (IMD) expression levels decreased in the group of 0.5% M. oleifera leaf extract before the stress. After ammonia stress, the group of 0.5% M. oleifera leaf extract also could improve the haemolymph SOD, glutathione peroxidase, NO, iNOS, hepatopancreas HSP70 expression levels and reduce haemolymph CAT, hepatopancreas peroxiredoxin 5 and NF kappa B inhibitor alpha expression level compared with the control group. The rate of mortality of the prawns challenged with V. anguillarum was lower in the supplemented groups in comparison with the control group with the lowest being in the group of 0.5% M. oleifera leaf extract. Antioxidant activities as well as biochemical parameters in the enrofloxacin group (0.025%E) were not significantly enhanced both pre and post challenge in comparison with the M. oleifera leaf extract groups, showing the superiority of the natural herb over the synthetic antibiotic. In summary, this study suggested that at an inclusion rate of 0.5%, M. oleifera leaf extract could increase the growth performance, even has positive effects on physiological and immune function and prevents high ammonia stress in the Freshwater prawn, M.rosenbergii.

A 14-day repeated-dose oral toxicological evaluation of an isothiocyanate-enriched hydro-alcoholic extract from Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds in rats

A 14-d short-term oral toxicity study in rats evaluated the safety of moringa isothiocyanate-1 (MIC-1)-enriched hydro-alcoholic moringa seeds extract (MSE). Rats (5 males/5 females per group) were gavaged daily for 14 d with the vehicle control or MSE, at 78 (low), 257 (mid-low), 772 (mid-high), or 2571 (high) mg/kg bw/d, standardized to MIC-1 (30, 100, 300, or 1000 mg/kg bw/d, respectively). Toxicological endpoints included body weight and weight gain, food consumption and feed efficiency, clinical observations, hematology, gross necropsy and histopathology, and relative organ weights. Mortality was only observed in the high dose group animals, both male and female, representing decreases in body weight/weight gain and food consumption/feed efficiency. Irregular respiratory patterns and piloerection were major clinical observations found primarily in the mid-high and high dose group animals. In the high dose group, gastrointestinal distention and stomach discoloration were observed in non-surviving males and females, and degeneration and necrosis of the testicular germinal cells and epididymal cells were also observed in a non-surviving male. Increased liver weights were found in females in the mid-high and high dose groups. Animals in the low and mid-low groups did not exhibit adverse effects of MSE (100 mg/kg bw/d MIC-1). A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the standardized MSE was determined as 257 mg/kg bw/d providing 100 mg/kg bw/d MIC-1.

Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health

Moringa oleifera seeds are a promising resource for food and non-food applications, due to their content of monounsaturated fatty acids with a high monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids (MUFA/SFA) ratio, sterols and tocopherols, as well as proteins rich in sulfated amino acids. The rapid growth of Moringa trees in subtropical and tropical areas, even under conditions of prolonged drought, makes this plant a reliable resource to enhance the nutritional status of local populations and, if rationalized cultivation practices are exploited, their economy, given that a biodiesel fuel could be produced from a source not in competition with human food crops. Despite the relatively diffuse use of Moringa seeds and their oil in traditional medicine, no pharmacological activity study has been conducted on humans. Some encouraging evidence, however, justifies new efforts to obtain clear and definitive information on the benefits to human health arising from seed consumption. A critical review of literature data concerning the composition of Moringa oil has set in motion a plan for future investigations. Such investigations, using the seeds and oil, will focus on cultivation conditions to improve plant production, and will study the health effects on human consumers of Moringa seeds and their oil.

Effect of Ipomea carnea Jacq. flowers on hematological changes in toluene diisocyanate-induced inflammation in Wistar rats

AIM

To investigate the active chloroform fraction of the ethanol extract of Ipomoea carnea flowers on hematological changes in toluene diisocyanate-induced inflammation in Wistar rats.

METHOD

Except for the control group, all of the rats were sensitized with intranasal application of 5 μL of 10% toluene diisocyanate (TDI) for 7 days. One week after second sensitization, all of the rats were provoked with 5 μL of 5% TDI to induce airway hypersensitivity. After the last challenge, blood and bronchoalvelor lavage (BAL) fluid were collected and subjected to total and differential leucocytes count. Flash chromatography was performed on the most active chloroform fraction to isolate an individual component.

RESULTS

Treatment with the ethanolic extract and its chloroform fraction at an oral dose of 200 mg·kg⁻¹ showed a significant decrease in circulating neutrophil and eosinophil in blood and BAL as compared with standard dexamethasone (DEXA). The structure of the compound obtained from chloroform fraction of Ipomea carnea was elucidated as stigmast-5, 22-dien-3β-ol on the basis of spectral data analysis.

CONCLUSION

The chloroform fraction was found to be more effective to suppress airway hyper reactivity symptoms, and decreased count of both total and differential inflammatory cells.

AMPK activation reduces vascular permeability and airway inflammation by regulating HIF/VEGFA pathway in a murine model of toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma

BACKGROUND

Occupational asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness associated with increased vascular permeability. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been suggested to be a novel signaling molecule modulating inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the involvement of AMPK in pathogenesis of occupational asthma and more specifically investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of AMPK activation in regulating vascular permeability.

METHODS

The mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of an AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) were tested in a murine model of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma.

RESULTS

AICAR attenuated airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness increased by TDI inhalation. Moreover, TDI-induced increases in levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, HIF-2α, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and plasma exudation were substantially decreased by treatment with AICAR. Our results also showed that VEGFA expression was remarkably reduced by inhibition of HIF-1α and HIF-2α with 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) and that an inhibitor of VEGFA activity, CBO-P11 as well as 2ME2 significantly suppressed vascular permeability, airway infiltration of inflammatory cells, and airway hyperresponsiveness induced by TDI. In addition, AICAR reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and levels of malondialdehyde and T-helper type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), while this agent enhanced expression of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that AMPK activation ameliorates airway inflammatory responses by reducing vascular permeability via HIF/VEGFA pathway as well as by inhibiting ROS production and thus may be a possible therapeutic strategy for TDI-induced asthma and other airway inflammatory diseases.

Suppression of ovalbumin-induced Th2-driven airway inflammation by β-sitosterol in a guinea pig model of asthma

In the present study, the efficacy of β-sitosterol isolated from an n-butanol extract of the seeds of the plant Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) was examined against ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs. All animals (except group I) were sensitized subcutaneously and challenged with aerosolized 0.5% ovalbumin. The test drugs, β-sitosterol (2.5mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2.5mg/kg), were administered to the animals (p.o.) prior to challenge with ovalbumin. During the experimental period (on days 18, 21, 24 and 29), a bronchoconstriction test (0.25% acetylcholine for 30s) was performed and lung function parameters (tidal volume and respiration rate) were measured for each animal. On day 30, blood and bronchoalveolar lavaged fluid were collected to assess cellular content, and serum was collected for cytokine assays. Lung tissue was utilized for a histamine assay and for histopathology. β-sitosterol significantly increased the tidal volume (V(t)) and decreased the respiration rate (f) of sensitized and challenged guinea pigs to the level of non-sensitized control guinea pigs and lowered both the total and differential cell counts, particularly eosinophils and neutrophils, in blood and bronchoalveolar lavaged fluid. Furthermore, β-sitosterol treatment suppressed the increase in cytokine levels (TNFα, IL-4 and IL-5), with the exception of IL-6, in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavaged fluid detected in model control animals. Moreover, treatment with β-sitosterol protected against airway inflammation in lung tissue histopathology. β-sitosterol possesses anti-asthmatic actions that might be mediated by inhibiting the cellular responses and subsequent release/synthesis of Th2 cytokines. This compound may have therapeutic potential in allergic asthma.

Immunosuppressive activity of ethanolic extract of seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. in experimental immune inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditionally, the plant Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is used for the treatment of ascites and rheumatism, while the dried seeds of the plant are used as an 'anti-allergic' agent.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of ethanolic extract of seeds from Moringa oleifera Lam. in experimental immune inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Circulatory and splenic leukocyte counts, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and humoral antibody responses were measured in mice using SRBC as the antigen. In addition, macrophage phagocytosis was measured by the carbon clearance test.

RESULTS

The extract dose-dependently (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) inhibited spleen weight as well as circulatory leukocyte and splenocyte counts. The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction was significantly inhibited (P<0.01) by decreasing the mean foot pad thickness at 48 h. The production of the humoral antibody titer was significantly ameliorated at a dose of 100 and 200mg/kg (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the extract caused a down-regulation of macrophage phagocytosis due to carbon particles.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the above findings suggest that the seeds of Moringa oleifera have immunosuppressive activity.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) regulates haem oxygenase-1/ferritin expression: implications for toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma

Diisocyanate is a leading cause of occupational asthma (OA). Diisocyanate-induced OA is an inflammatory disease of the airways that is associated with airway remodelling. Although the pathogenic mechanisms are unclear, oxidative stress may be related to the pathogenesis of diisocyanate-induced OA. In our previous report, we observed that the expression of ferritin light chain (FTL) was decreased in both of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of patients with diphenyl-methane diisocyanate (MDI)-induced OA compared to those of asymptomatic exposed controls and unexposed healthy controls. In this study of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-OA, we found identical findings with increased transferrin and decreased ferritin levels in the serum of patients with TDI-OA. To elucidate whether diisocyanate suppresses FTL synthesis directly, we tested the effect of TDI on the FTL synthesis in A549 cells, a human airway epithelial cell line. We found that haem oxygenase-1 as well as FTL was suppressed by treatment with TDI in dose- and time-dependent manners. We also found that the synthesis of other anti-oxidant proteins such as thioredoxin-1, glutathione peroxidase, peroxiredoxin 1 and catalase were suppressed by TDI. Furthermore, TDI suppressed nuclear translocation of Nrf2 through suppressing the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2); p38; and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2 and rosiglitazone rescued the effect of TDI on HO-1/FTL expression. Collectively, our findings suggest that TDI suppressed HO-1/FTL expression through the MAPK-Nrf2 signalling pathway, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of TDI-induced OA. Therefore, elucidating these observations further should help to develop the therapeutic strategies of diisocyanate-induced OA.

Inhibitory effect of n-butanol fraction of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a guinea pig model of asthma

Moringaceae, which belongs to the Moringa oleifera Lam. family, is a well-known herb used in Asian medicine as an antiallergic drug. In the present study, the efficacy of the n-butanol extract of the seeds of the plant (MONB) is examined against ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs. The test drugs (MONB or dexamethasone) are administered orally prior to challenge with aerosolized 0.5% ovalbumin. During the experimental period, bronchoconstriction tests are performed, and lung function parameters are measured. The blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are collected to assess cellular content, and serum is used for cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-4, and interleukin-6) assays. Histamine assays of lung tissue are performed using lung tissue homogenate. The results suggest that in ovalbumin-sensitized model control animals, tidal volume is decreased, respiration rate is increased, and both the total and differential cell counts in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are increased significantly compared with nonsensitized controls. MONB treatment shows improvement in all parameters except bronchoalveolar lavage tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-4. Moreover, MONB treatment demonstrates protection against acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation. These results indicate that MONB has an inhibitory effect on airway inflammation. Thus, MONB possesses an antiasthmatic property through modulation of the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalances.

Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. seed extract on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs

To determine the therapeutic potential of herbal medicine Moringa oleifera Lam. family: Moringaceae in the control of allergic diseases, the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of the plant (MOEE) against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs was examined. During the experimental period, the test drugs (MOEE or dexamethasone) were administered by oral route prior to challenge with aerosolized 0.5% OVA. Bronchoconstriction tests were performed and respiratory parameters (i.e., tidal volume and respiratory rate) were measured. At the end of experiment, blood was collected from each animal to perform total and differential counts and serum was used for assay of IL-4, IL-6, and TNFalpha. Lung lavage fluid (BAL) was collected for estimation of cellular content and cytokine levels. Lung tissue histamine assays were performed using the homogenate of one lobe from each animal; a separate lobe and the trachea were subjected to histopathology to measure the degree of any airway inflammation. The results suggest that in OVA-sensitized control animals that did not receive either drug, tidal volume (V(t)) was decreased, respiration rate (f) was increased, and both the total and differential cell counts in blood and BAL fluid were increased significantly. MOEE-treatment of sensitized hosts resulted in improvement in all parameters except BAL TNFalpha and IL-4. Moreover, MOEE-treatment also showed protection against acetylcholine-induced broncho-constriction and airway inflammation which was confirmed by histological observations. The results of these studies confirm the traditional claim for the usefulness of this herb in the treatment of allergic disorders like asthma.