ovalbumin and paeonol

Paeonol, the main active component isolated from Moutan Cortex, possesses extensive pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immunoregulatory effects. In the present study, we examined the effects of paeonol on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin were administered paeonol intragastrically at a dose of 100 mg/kg daily. Paeonol significantly suppressed ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine chloride. Paeonol administration significantly inhibited the total inflammatory cell and eosinophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment with paeonol significantly enhanced IFN-γ levels and decreased interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and total immunoglobulin E levels in serum. Histological examination of lung tissue demonstrated that paeonol significantly attenuated allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation and mucus-producing goblet cells in the airway. These data suggest that paeonol exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in allergic mice and may possess new therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma.

Topics: Acetophenones; Airway Resistance; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunoglobulin E; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Plethysmography, Whole Body; Pneumonia

The root of Paeonia lactiflora PALL (PL, Family Paeoniaceae) has been used frequently as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent in traditional medicines of Korea, China and Japan. To evaluate antiallergic effect of PL, we isolated its main constituents, paeoniflorin and paeonol, and evaluated in vivo their inhibitory effects against passive cutaenous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction induced by IgE-antigen complex and scratching behaviors induced by compound 48/80. PL, paeoniflorin and paeonol potently inhibited PCA reaction and scratching behaviors in mice. Paeoniflorin exhibited the most potent inhibition against scratching behaviors and the acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice. Paeonol most potently inhibited PCA reaction and mast cells degranulation. These findings suggest that PL can improve IgE-induced anaphylaxis and scratching behaviors, and may be due to the effect of its constituents, paeoniflorin and paeonol.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Acetophenones; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Antipruritics; Asthma; Behavior, Animal; Benzoates; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Cell Degranulation; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glucosides; Male; Mast Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred ICR; Monoterpenes; Ovalbumin; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; Paeonia; Pain; Pain Measurement; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Plant Roots; Pruritus; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley