To Study the Anti-Inflammation and Immune Modulation Effect of Osthol in Asthmatic Mouse Model

Bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways is usually characterized with elevated serum IgE, bronchial eosinophil infiltration, as well as inflammatory cytokines and mediators. In addition, elevated levels of eotaxin, nitric oxide (NO), and TNF-α in lung tissues have been linked to the severity of asthma. It has also been well documented that Th2-type cytokines induce higher IgE production (IL-4 and IL-13) and more eosinophilia (IL-5). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in the treatment of airway diseases, including bronchial asthma. However, solid scientific evidence with the use of TCM has not been available, particularly concern related to toxicity, doses and frequency, and pharmacological mechanisms. However, the inhibition of inflammatory responses in contact allergic animal and the production of eotaxin from IL-4-treated lung epithelial cells by osthol, a compound isolated from Cnidium monnieri, been described. Thus, we would like to investigate whether osthol has the therapeutic effect on our chicken ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice model. In this project, we would analyze whether osthol can reduce the airway hypersensitive responses, eosinophil infiltration, and serum OVA-specific Ig levels. Moreover, the effect of osthol on the inflammatory mediators, eotaxin, NO or NOS, phosphodiesterase (PDE), or TNF-α in lung tissues of the treated mice or murine epithelial cells will also be extensively studied. The changes of cytokine production from T cells in the treated mice will be tested to delineate the potential immune regulatory mechanisms of osthol. The data from this study will provide the scientific bases of the effect of osthol. Moreover, the results will serve as the reference information for future clinical trails related to osthol.

Project ID:PC9902-0743
External Project ID:NSC98-2320-B182-020-MY3