fluticasone and thymoquinone

In the present study, the preventive effect of two different concentrations of α-hederin, the active constituent of Nigella sativa, on lung inflammation and blood cytokines in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Forty eight male adult guinea pigs were divided into control (C), sensitized (S) and sensitized pretreated groups; with thymoquinone (S+TQ), low dose (S+LAH) and high dose of α-hederin (S+HAH) and inhaled fluticasone propionate (S+FP). The lung histopathology and blood levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17 were assessed. Compared to sensitized animals, all pathological changes improved significantly in pretreated groups (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05). These improvements in α-hederin pretreated groups were similar to S+TQ and S+FP groups except cellular infiltration in S+LAH and S+HAH groups which was lower than S+TQ group (p < 0.05). The blood IL-4 and IL-17 levels in S+HAH groups showed a significant decrease compared to S group (p < 0.05) which were similar to S+TQ and S+FP groups. The level of IFN-γ in S+LAH and S+HAH groups increased significantly compared to S group (p < 0.05) which was higher than S+FP group (p < 0.05). Blood IL-4 in S+HAH group was significantly lower than S+LAH group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, α-hederin could attenuate the lung inflammation and improve the changes of cytokines like thymoquinone and fluticasone in used dosages.

Topics: Animals; Benzoquinones; Cytokines; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Fluticasone; Guinea Pigs; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-4; Lung; Male; Nigella sativa; Oleanolic Acid; Ovalbumin; Plant Extracts; Pneumonia; Saponins

In previous studies, the relaxant, anticholinergic (functional antagonism) and antihistaminic, effects of Nigella sativa have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains. In the present study, the prophylactic effect of thymoquinone (one of the constituents of Nigella sativa) on tracheal responsiveness and white blood cell (WBC) count in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Four groups of sensitized guinea pigs to ovalbumin (OA) were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing low or high concentrations of thymoquinone (S + LTQ and S + HTQ groups) or inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP 250 microg) twice a day (positive control group) (n = 7, for all groups). Tracheal responses of control and four groups of sensitized animals to methacholine at an effective concentration causing 50 % of maximum response (EC(50) M) were measured. Tracheal responses to 0.1 % OA, relative to contraction induced by 10 microM methacholine were also examined. Total WBC and its differential count in lung lavage were also measured. The tracheal responsiveness to methacholine, OA and WBC of S guinea pigs was significantly higher than those of controls (p < 0.001 for all cases). Tracheal responsiveness in S + LTQ, S + HTQ, and FP groups to both methacholine (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) and OA (p < 0.001 for all cases) was significantly decreased compared to that of the S group. Total WBC was also decreased in all experimental groups compared to that of the S group (p < 0.001 for all groups). There was an increase in eosinophils and a decrease in neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in the S animals compared to the controls (p < 0.001 for all cases). Treatment with both concentrations of thymoquinone and FP variably improved differential WBC count changes compared to the S animals (nonsignificant to p < 0.001). The improvement in tracheal responsiveness, total WBC, eosinophils and lymphocytes changes in the S animals treated with both concentrations of TQ were significantly greater than those of FP (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). These results showed a preventive effect of thymoquinone, one constituent of N. sativa, on tracheal responsiveness and inflammatory cells of lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs which was comparable or even greater than that of the inhaled steroid.

Topics: Androstadienes; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzoquinones; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchoalveolar Lavage; Bronchoconstrictor Agents; Female; Fluticasone; Guinea Pigs; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes; Lung; Lymphocytes; Male; Methacholine Chloride; Nigella sativa; Ovalbumin; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Trachea