Biosciences, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, PO Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jan 27;133(2):843-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.014. Epub 2010 Nov 11.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs, characterized by increased sensitivity to bronchoconstriction associated with infiltration of immune cells, mucus hypersecretion and structural remodelling of the airways. In South Africa, the indigenous plant Siphonochilus aethiopicus, is used by traditional health practitioners to treat colds, wheezing of the chest, coughs, influenza, sinus problems and mild asthma. In this study we aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of S. aethiopicus in vitro and its efficacy in a mouse model of allergic asthma.
The dried and powdered S. aethiopicus plant material was extracted separately with organic solvents (diethyl ether, ethanol) and water. Dried extracts as well as a purified furanoterpenoid compound present in the extracts were screened in vitro in a glucocorticoid and histamine H(1) receptor binding assay and a phosphodiesterase IV enzyme inhibition assay. Extracts were also evaluated for efficacy against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway disease in mice.
Biological assaying of extracts of the plant and the isolated furanoterpenoid showed significant in vitro inhibition of glucocorticoid and histamine H(1) receptor binding and phosphodiesterase IV activity, supporting a possible anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and bronchodilatory effect. Administration of S. aethiopicus extracts to OVA-sensitized and challenged mice significantly reduced lung inflammation and the percentage of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but did not influence airway hyperreactivity.
This study provides evidence that S. aethiopicus has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties in vitro and in vivo. These findings may support anecdotal accounts of its effectiveness against asthma, sinusitis, colds and flu.
哮喘是一种肺部慢性炎症性疾病，其特征是对与免疫细胞浸润、黏液分泌过度和气道结构重塑相关的支气管收缩的敏感性增加。在南非，传统医疗从业者使用本土植物 Siphonochilus aethiopicus 来治疗感冒、胸闷、咳嗽、流感、鼻窦问题和轻度哮喘。在这项研究中，我们旨在研究 S. aethiopicus 在体外的潜在抗炎和抗过敏特性及其在过敏性哮喘小鼠模型中的疗效。
将干燥和粉碎的 S. aethiopicus 植物材料分别用有机溶剂（二乙醚、乙醇）和水提取。干燥提取物以及提取物中存在的一种呋喃萜类化合物在糖皮质激素和组胺 H（1）受体结合测定和磷酸二酯酶 IV 酶抑制测定中进行了体外筛选。还评估了提取物对卵清蛋白（OVA）诱导的过敏性气道疾病在小鼠中的疗效。
对植物和分离的呋喃萜类化合物提取物进行生物学测定，显示出对糖皮质激素和组胺 H（1）受体结合以及磷酸二酯酶 IV 活性的显著体外抑制作用，支持可能具有抗炎、抗过敏和支气管扩张作用。给予 S. aethiopicus 提取物给 OVA 致敏和激发的小鼠，可显著减轻肺部炎症和支气管肺泡灌洗液中的嗜酸性粒细胞百分比，但不影响气道高反应性。
这项研究提供了证据表明 S. aethiopicus 具有体外和体内抗炎和抗过敏特性。这些发现可能支持其对哮喘、鼻窦炎、感冒和流感的有效性的传闻证据。
