Anti-asthmatic effects of lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen plant species in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen (LDS) is used as a traditional herbal medicine in northeast Asia, mainly in Korea, Japan, and China to treat lung disorders including coughs and phlegm caused by acute and chronic airway inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Recently, interest regarding health problems incurred by air pollution has rapidly grown. Herbal medicines are being considered as alternative agents to treat various diseases. In the present study, we evaluated and compared the anti-inflammatory effects of LDS, which is derived from Lepidium apetalum Willd. extracts (LAE) and Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl extracts (DSE), on allergic airway inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of LDS extracts. We performed histological examination and measured relevant inflammatory mediators and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung. Furthermore, we conducted an in vitro T helper 2 (Th2) polarization assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Asthmatic phenotypes were attenuated by LDS extract treatments. LDS extract administration significantly reduced mucus production, inflammatory cell infiltration into airways, and eosinophil activation. Furthermore, LDS extracts reduced the expression of type 2 cytokines and inhibited differentiation and activation of Th2 cells.

CONCLUSION

LDS alleviated eosinophilic inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell differentiation, and DSE was more effective in attenuating allergic lung inflammation than LAE.