ovalbumin and beta-hederin

α-hederin, a saponin that is a major constituent of English Ivy (Hedera helix) is effective in the treatment of asthma. In the present study, the effect of α-hederin on lung tissue pathology and the levels of the inflammatory mediators; IL-2 mRNA, IL-17 mRNA, and MicroRNAs (miRNA)-133a was evaluated in a rat ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized model of asthma. Rats were divided randomly into control (C), OVA-sensitized (S), OVA-sensitized pretreated with the antioxidant, thymoquinone (3 mg/kg, S + TQ) or OVA-sensitized pretreated with α-hederin (0.02 mg/kg, S + AH) groups. Levels of IL-2 and IL-17 mRNA were higher in the OVA-sensitized group than controls while the level of miRNA-133a gene expression was lower. IL-2 mRNA and miRNA-133a gene expression in the S + TQ group was higher than in the control and OVA-sensitized groups while the level of IL-17 mRNA in the S + TQ group was lower than in the OVA-sensitized group. Pretreatment with α-hederin decreased IL-17 mRNA levels and increased miRNA-133a gene expression compared with OVA-sensitized animals. All pathological changes in pretreated groups were lower than the OVA-sensitized group. These results showed a beneficial effect of α-hederin in OVA-sensitized rats, suggesting that α-hederin affects the IL-2 and IL-17 secretion pathways, altering miRNA-133a expression.

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-2; Lung; Male; MicroRNAs; Oleanolic Acid; Ovalbumin; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Saponins

Many investigations have demonstrated the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa on asthma disease. One of its active constituents is α-hederin. In the present study, the preventive effect of two different concentrations of α-hederin on tracheal responsiveness and lung inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Forty male adult Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into the control (C), sensitized (S) and sensitized pretreated groups with thymoquinone (3 mg/kg i.p., S + TQ), low-dose α-hederin (0.3 mg/kg i.p., S + LAH) and high-dose α-hederin (3 mg/kg i.p., S + HAH). The responsiveness of tracheal smooth muscle (TR) to methacholine, histamine and ovalbumin was assessed. Moreover, total and differential white blood cell counts in lung lavage fluid were examined. Compared with the S group, the mean EC50 value in the S + LAH group increased significantly (p < 0.05). The mean EC50 value of histamine contraction in the S + LAH and S + HAH groups was significantly higher than in the S group (p < 0.05). In all pretreated groups, the TR to ovalbumin decreased in comparison to the S group (p < 0.001). Both the S + HAH and S + LAH groups showed significantly decreased TR compared to the S + TQ group (p < 0.01-p < 0.01). Total WBC and eosinophil counts in all pretreated groups decreased significantly in comparison with the S group (0.001-0.01). There was a significant increase in neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in the pretreated groups compared to the S group (p < 0.001-p < 0.05). The basophil count in the S + TQ and S + HAH groups was significantly lower than in the S group (p < 0.01-p < 0.05). This study suggested that α-hederin has anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects like thymoquinone.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Benzoquinones; Bronchodilator Agents; Guinea Pigs; Histamine; Male; Methacholine Chloride; Nigella sativa; Oleanolic Acid; Ovalbumin; Plants, Medicinal; Pneumonia; Saponins; Trachea

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