ovalbumin and 3-n-butylphthalide

Butylphthalide (NBP) is a phthalide compound contained in Angelicae Sinensis Radix which is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of NBP on airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and their possible mechanism in asthma mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for establishment of asthma model and then treated with NBP during day 22-77. The pulmonary function of the mice was determined, and the pathology of lung tissue and goblet cell hyperplasia were observed through analyzing inflammation scores and goblet cell percentage, respectively. Cytokine IL-4, IL-8, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total immunogloblin E (T-IgE) and OVA-specific IgE in serum were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of Mucin 5AC (Muc5ac) and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results show that 50 mg/kg NBP significantly reduced OVA-induced increase in inflammation scoring, goblet cell percentage and mucus secretion of airway tissue, and improved the pulmonary function. NBP could also decrease IL-4, IL-8 IL-13, and TNF-α in BALF and T-IgE and OVA-specific IgE in serum. The expression of Muc5ac and NF-κB in lung tissue was significantly down-regulated after NBP treatment. This study suggested that NBP may effectively inhibit airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in asthma by modulating NF-κB activation.

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asthma; Benzofurans; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Leukocyte Count; Lung; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mucin 5AC; Mucus; NF-kappa B; Ovalbumin

To study the effects of butylphthalide on bronchial asthma in guinea pigs, and investigate the involvement of endothelin.. In guinea pigs, bronchial asthma was induced by injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and provoked by inhalation of OVA, and the effects of butylphthalide on asthma were evaluated through the changes it induced by OVA, pulmonary function, endothelin-1 (ET-1) contents and activity of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum and lung tissue, and the gene expression of ET-1 in lung tissue.. Butylphthalide significantly improved pulmonary function, lowered asthmatic behavior score, inhibited the activity of ECE-1, and reduced ET-1 gene expression level in lung tissue.. Butylphthalide has an anti-asthma effect and the mechanisms involve inhibition of ECE-1 activity and lowering of ET-1geng expression.

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Benzofurans; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Endothelin-1; Guinea Pigs; Ovalbumin