scholarly journals Lippia javanica (Zumbani) herbal tea infusion attenuates allergic airway inflammation via inhibition of Th2 cell activation and suppression of oxidative stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mvuyisi O. M. Mfengu ◽  
Mathulo Shauli ◽  
Godwill A. Engwa ◽  
Hannibal T. Musarurwa ◽  
Constance R. Sewani-Rusike

Abstract Background Lippia javanica (lemon bush) is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory ailments, including asthma in southern African countries but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-asthmatic effects of L. javanica using a rat model of asthma. Methods A 5% w/v L. javanica tea infusion was prepared and characterised by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Animals were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and subsequently challenged intranasal with OVA on day 15 except the control group. Animals were grouped (n = 5/group) for treatment: unsensitised control, sensitised control, sensitised + prednisolone and sensitised + L. javanica at 50 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day – equivalent to 1 and 2 cups of tea per day, respectively. After 2 weeks of treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count. Nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were also assessed in BALF. Ovalbumin specific IgE antibody and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-alpha were measured in serum. Lung and muscle tissues were histological examined. Results L. javanica was rich in phenolic compounds. OVA sensitisation resulted in development of allergic asthma in rats. L. javanica treatment resulted in a reduction in total WBC count as well as eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF. L. javanica inhibited Th2-mediated immune response, which was evident by a decrease in serum IgE and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-α. L. javanica treatment also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO, and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. Histology showed significant attenuation of lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, alveolar thickening, and bronchiole smooth muscle thickening. Conclusion L. javanica suppressed allergic airway inflammation by reducing Th2-mediated immune response and oxidative stress in OVA-sensitized rats which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compound in the plant. This finding validates the traditional use of L. javanica in the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
Shu-Ju Wu ◽  
Chian-Jiun Liou ◽  
Ya-Ling Chen ◽  
Shu-Chen Cheng ◽  
Wen-Chung Huang

Fucoxanthin is isolated from brown algae and was previously reported to have multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-tumor and anti-obesity effects in mice. Fucoxanthin also decreases the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic mice. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of fucoxanthin on the oxidative and inflammatory responses in inflammatory human tracheal epithelial BEAS-2B cells and attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, and oxidative stress in asthmatic mice. Fucoxanthin significantly decreased monocyte cell adherence to BEAS-2B cells. In addition, fucoxanthin inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, eotaxin, and reactive oxygen species in BEAS-2B cells. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were treated by intraperitoneal injections of fucoxanthin (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg), which significantly alleviated AHR, goblet cell hyperplasia and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs, and decreased Th2 cytokine production in the BALF. Furthermore, fucoxanthin significantly increased glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the lungs of asthmatic mice. These data demonstrate that fucoxanthin attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in inflammatory tracheal epithelial cells and improves the pathological changes related to asthma in mice. Thus, fucoxanthin has therapeutic potential for improving asthma.


Author(s):  
Maciej Kwiatek ◽  
Tomasz Gęca ◽  
Anna Kwaśniewska

The advantage in response of Th2 over Th1 is observed in normal pregnancy in peripheral blood. A disturbance of this balance can lead to symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera of women who were diagnosed with missed miscarriage in the first trimester and to compare this systemic immune response to the response in women with normal pregnancy. The study group consisted of 61 patients diagnosed with missed miscarriage. In total, 19 healthy women with uncomplicated first trimester created the control group. Cytokines were determined in the maternal serum by ELISA. The analysis included INF-γ, TNF-α, Il-1β, Il-4, Il-5, Il-6, Il-9, Il-10, Il-13 and TGF-β1. Th1 cytokine levels in the study group reached slightly higher values for INF-γ, Il-1β and slightly lower for IL-6 and TNF-α. In turn, Th2 cytokine levels in the study group were slightly higher (Il-9, Il-13), significantly higher (Il4, p = 0.015; Il-5, p = 0.0003) or showed no differences with the control group (Il-10). Slightly lower concentration involved only TGF-β1. Analysis of the correlation between levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines resulted in some discrepancies, without showing predominance of a specific immune response. The results did not confirm that women with missed miscarriage had an advantage in any type of immune response in comparison to women with normal pregnancy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. L269-L279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianwen Lai ◽  
Mindan Wu ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Luanqing Che ◽  
Feng Xu ◽  
...  

Histone deacetylase (HDAC)2 is expressed in airway epithelium and plays a pivotal role in inflammatory cells. However, the role of HDAC2 in allergic airway inflammation remains poorly understood. In the present study, we determined the role of HDAC2 in airway inflammation using in vivo models of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic inflammation and in vitro cultures of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exposed to HDM, IL-17A, or both. We observed that HDM-challenged Hdac2+/− mice exhibited substantially enhanced infiltration of inflammatory cells. Higher levels of T helper 2 cytokines and IL-17A expression were found in lung tissues of HDM-challenged Hdac2+/− mice. Interestingly, IL-17A deletion or anti-IL-17A treatment reversed the enhanced airway inflammation induced by HDAC2 impairment. In vitro, HDM and IL-17A synergistically decreased HDAC2 expression in HBE cells. HDAC2 gene silencing further enhanced HDM- and/or IL-17A-induced inflammatory cytokines in HBE cells. HDAC2 overexpresion or blocking IL-17A gene expression restored the enhanced inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, these results support a protective role of HDAC2 in HDM-induced airway inflammation by suppressing IL-17A production and might suggest that activation of HDAC2 and/or inhibition of IL-17A production could prevent the development of allergic airway inflammation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. L26-L34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhamid Almolki ◽  
Camille Taillé ◽  
Gillian F. Martin ◽  
Peter J. Jose ◽  
Christine Zedda ◽  
...  

Heme oxygenase (HO), the heme-degrading enzyme, has shown anti-inflammatory effects in several models of pulmonary diseases. HO is induced in airways during asthma; however, its functional role is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the role of HO on airway inflammation [evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellularity and BAL levels of eotaxin, PGE2, and proteins], mucus secretion (evaluated by analysis of MUC5AC gene expression and periodic acid-Schiff staining), oxidative stress (evaluated by quantification of 4-hydroxynonenal adducts and carbonylated protein levels in lung homogenates), and airway responsiveness to histamine in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and multiple aerosol OVA or saline-challenged guinea pigs (6 challenges, once daily, OVA group and control group, respectively). Airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness were significantly increased in the OVA group compared with the control group. HO upregulation by repeated administrations of hemin (50 mg/kg ip) significantly decreased airway responsiveness in control animals and airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness in OVA animals. These effects were reversed by the concomitant administration of the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin-IX (50 μmol/kg ip). Repeated administrations of tin protoporphyrin-IX alone significantly increased airway responsiveness in control animals but did not modify airway inflammation, mucus secretion, oxidative stress, and responsiveness in OVA animals. These results suggest that upregulation of the HO pathway has a significant protective effect against airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, oxidative stress, and hyperresponsiveness in a model of allergic asthma in guinea pigs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Tian Liu ◽  
Jun-fei Wang ◽  
Bao-yi Liu ◽  
Jin-xiang Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Asthma is a common respiratory disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation. As a novel inflammatory mediator, follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) can activate immune reaction, suggesting that it may contribute to inflammatory disorders such as asthma. Besides, there are growing evidences that nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) / Interleukin (IL)-1β axis participates in asthma. In this study, we investigated the role of FSTL1 in allergic airway inflammation and its underlying mechanism of activating NLRP3 inflammasome. Methods Circulating FSTL1 and IL-1β levels were quantified in serum of asthmatic patients and controls. Whole-body ablation Fstl1 heterozygous mice (Fstl1 +/- ) and control group were assessed after the experimental treatment. The effects of FSTL1 on NLRP3 inflammasome were also tested in primary macrophages of mice in vitro. Results The concentration of FSTL1 and IL-1β in serum of asthmatic patients were elevated compared with controls and were positively correlated. FSTL1 deficiency ameliorated infiltration of inflammatory cells,corresponding pathological changes,cytokine responses (IL-1β, IL-5,IL-13), mucous hypersecretion and hyper-responsiveness of airway after Ovalbumin (OVA) exposure in the mouse model. Additionally, inhibition of NLRP3 with MCC950 attenuated FSTL1-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and airway inflammation in vivo and vitro. Conclusions Our data showed that FSTL1 played an important role in allergic airway inflammation by activating NLRP3 inflammasome, providing the possibility that FSTL1 could be applied as a therapeutic strategy on asthma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Le Bert ◽  
Hannah E Clapham ◽  
Anthony T Tan ◽  
Wan Ni Chia ◽  
Christine YL Tham ◽  
...  

AbstractThe efficacy of virus-specific T cells in clearing pathogens involves a fine balance between their antiviral and inflammatory features. SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in individuals who clear SARS-CoV-2 infection without symptoms or disease could reveal non-pathological yet protective characteristics. We therefore compared the quantity and function of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in a cohort of asymptomatic individuals (n=85) with that of symptomatic COVID-19 patients (n=76), at different time points after antibody seroconversion. We quantified T cells reactive to structural proteins (M, NP and Spike) using ELISpot assays, and measured the magnitude of cytokine secretion (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10) in whole blood following T cell activation with SARS-CoV-2 peptide pools as a functional readout. Frequencies of T cells specific for the different SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the early phases of recovery were similar between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. However, we detected an increased IFN-γ and IL-2 production in asymptomatic compared to symptomatic individuals after activation of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in blood. This was associated with a proportional secretion of IL-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β) only in asymptomatic infection, while a disproportionate secretion of inflammatory cytokines was triggered by SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell activation in symptomatic individuals. Thus, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals are not characterized by a weak antiviral immunity; on the contrary, they mount a robust and highly functional virus-specific cellular immune response. Their ability to induce a proportionate production of IL-10 might help to reduce inflammatory events during viral clearance.


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