Artemisia argyi attenuates airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic animals

Publication date: 14 September 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 209
Author(s): Na-Rae Shin, Hyung-Won Ryu, Je-Won Ko, Sung-Hyeuk Park, Heung-Joo Yuk, Ha-Jung Kim, Jong-Choon Kim, Seong-Hun Jeong, In-Sik Shin
Ethnopharmacological relevanceArtemisia argyi is a traditional herbal medicine in Korea and commonly called as mugwort. It is traditionally used as food source and tea to control abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, uterine hemorrhage, and inflammation.Aim of the studyWe investigated the effects of A. argyi (TOTAL) and dehydromatricarin A (DA), its active component on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma.Materials and methodsThe animals were sensitized on day 0 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of OVA with aluminum hydroxide. On day 21, 22 and 23 after the initial sensitization, the animals received an airway challenge with OVA for 1h using an ultrasonic nebulizer. TOTAL (50 and 100mg/kg) or DA (10 and 20mg/kg) were administered to mice by oral gavage once daily from day 18–23. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured 24h after final OVA challenge.ResultTOTAL and DA treated animals reduced inflammatory cell counts, cytokines and AHR in asthmatic animals, which was accompanied with inflammatory cell accumulation and mucus hypersecretion. Furthermore, TOTAL and DA significantly declined Erk phosphorylation and the expression of MMP-9 in asthmatic animals.ConclusionIn conclusion, we indicate that Total and DA suppress allergic inflammatory responses caused by OVA challenge. It was considered that A. argyi has a potential for treating allergic asthma.

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