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Abstract: Aim of the study: In the present study, we investigated whether the Lagerstroemia indica Linn (LI) extract has an anti-inflammatory effect on lung inflammation in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice. Materials and methods: The LI extract was obtained from dried and powdered whole plants of LI using 80% ethanol. ELISA was performed to evaluate cytokine concentration. BALB/c mice were used as a mouse model of asthma after asthmatic induction by ovalbumin sensitization and inhalation. We examined the effects of the LI extract on leukocyte infiltration and mucus secretion using cell count and histological stain. Results: The amount of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and TNF-α, was increased in Jurkat cells using the extract from house dust mites. Increased cytokine concentrations were inhibited by the LI extract. The LI extract suppressed the increased expression of IL-6 after treatment with mite extract of EoL-1 cells and THP-1 cells. In an in vivo experiment using asthmatic mice, the LI extract significantly inhibited leukocytosis and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue samples. The LI extract inhibited the increase in mucus secretion by goblet cells, blocked the production of reactive oxygen species in BAL fluid cells, and blocked the protein expression of IL-5 in BAL fluid. The concentration of ovalbumin-specific IgE in BAL fluid was weakly inhibited by the LI extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that the LI extract may be used as a valuable agent for treating allergic diseases such as asthma due to its anti-inflammatory property. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Duchesnea chrysantha (D. chrysantha) is a herb with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties. Aim of the study: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs, and the hallmarks of the disease are increased inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways and poor respiratory function. Although there is the possibility that D. chrysantha may have an inhibitory effect on lung inflammation, the effects of D. chrysantha on asthma have not been fully investigated. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of D. chrysantha extract (Dc extract) on lung inflammation in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced asthma. Materials and methods: Dc extract was obtained from dried and powdered whole plants of D. chrysantha using 80% ethanol. BALB/c mice induced by ovalbumin sensitization and nebulization were used as a mouse model of asthma. RT-PCR and ELISA were performed to measure mRNA and protein expression of cytokines. We examined the effects of Dc extract on leukocyte infiltration and mucus secretion using periodic acid-Schiff staining as well as hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: Dc extract significantly inhibited leukocytosis and eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (p <0.01). Dc extract significantly reduced the elevated infiltration of inflammatory cells (p <0.05) and inhibited the increased mucus secretion, despite the absence of significant value. Although Dc extract weakly inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin, it strongly inhibited the protein expression of IL-5 (p <0.05) and eotaxin (p <0.01) in BAL fluid. Ovalbumin-specific IgE levels in the serum and BAL fluid were blocked by Dc extract (p <0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility that Dc extract can exert suppressive effects on asthma and may provide evidence that Dc extract is a useful agent for the treatment of allergic airway disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]