Saponin-enriched extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis alleviates airway inflammation and remodeling in ovalbumin-induced asthma model

Int J Mol Med. 2017 Nov;40(5):1365-1376. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3147. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by T-lymphocyte and eosinophil infiltration, mucus overproduction and airway hyper-responsiveness. The present study examined the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of a saponin-enriched extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis (SEAC) on airway inflammation and remodeling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. To accomplish this, alterations of the nitric oxide (NO) level, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels, as well as variations in immune cell numbers, immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration, histopathological structure and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells or an OVA-induced mouse model of asthma treated with SEAC. The concentration of NO and mRNA levels of COX-2 and iNOS were significantly decreased in the SEAC + LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells compared with the vehicle + LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, in the OVA-induced asthma model, the number of immune cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the concentration of OVA-specific IgE, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, the bronchial thickness and the levels of the inflammatory mediators interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13 and COX-2 were significantly lower in the OVA + SEAC‑treated group compared with the OVA + vehicle‑treated group. In addition, a significant reduction in goblet cell hyperplasia, peribronchiolar collagen layer thickness and VEGF expression for airway remodeling was detected in the OVA + SEAC‑treated group compared with the OVA + vehicle‑treated group. These findings indicate that SEAC is a suppressor of airway inflammation and remodeling, and may therefore be useful as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Airway Remodeling / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Asparagus Plant / chemistry
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / pathology*
  • Biomarkers
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Ovalbumin / adverse effects*
  • Plant Extracts
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Saponins / chemistry
  • Saponins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Saponins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Ovalbumin
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2