Attenuation of allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma by Licochalcone A. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Xiao; Jiang, Lanxiang; Wei, Miaomiao; Yang, Xiaofeng; Guan, Mingfeng; Xie, Xianxing; Wei, Jingyuan; Liu, Dianfeng; Wang, Dacheng
• Is Part Of: Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology. Volume 35:Number 6(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 653
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Immunopharmacology -- Periodicals; Immunotoxicology -- Periodicals; Antibody-toxin conjugates -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2013.834929
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-3973

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: Licochalcone A (Lico A) is a major and biogenetically characteristic chalcone isolated from the root of Xinjiang liquorice, Glycyrrhiza inflata.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: We focused on investigating whether Lico A possesses distinct anti-inflammatory activity on a non-infectious mouse model of asthma, and we aimed to elucidate its involvement with the mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: BALB/c mice that were sensitized and challenged to ovalbumin (OVA) were treated with Lico A (50 mg/kg) 1 h before they were challenged with OVA.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Our study demonstrated that Lico A may effectively inhibit the increase in T-helper type 2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and reduced serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG. Furthermore, Lico A substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue and mucus hyper-secretion by goblet cells in the airway. Meanwhile, pretreatment with Lico A resulted in a significant reduction in mRNA expression of acidic mammalian chitinase, chitinase 3-like protein 4 (Ym2), E-selectin, Muc5ac, CCL11 and CCR3 in lung tissues and airway hyper-responsiveness to methacholine.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: These findings suggest that Lico A may effectively delay the progression of airway inflammation and could be used as a therapy for patients with allergic airway inflammation.</p> </abstract>