Epiligulyl oxide from Saussurea lappa inhibited allergic asthma using in vivo and in vitro experiments

Background The root of Saussurea lappa is used in Asian traditional medicine to treat asthma, rheumatism, and other conditions. Extracts of Saussurea lappa were reported to alleviate house dust mite‐induced atopic‐like dermatitis in Nc/Nga mice, and sesquiterpene lactones were isolated. To elucidate whether epiligulyl oxide, a sesquiterpene lactone has beneficial effects on allergic asthma, anti‐asthma effects were studied using female Balb/c mice and rat RBL‐2H3 mast cells METHODS Antigen‐induced degranulation was measured in vitro by measuring β‐hexosaminidase activity. A murine ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of epiligulyl oxide. RESULTS Antigen‐induced degranulation was inhibited by epiligulyl oxide. Potency Sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin induced allergic asthma responses. Administration of epiligulyl oxide decreased numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL‐4 and IL‐13, in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies showed administration of epiligulyl oxide reduced inflammatory signs and mucin production in lungs. CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence that the epiligulyl oxide has potential use as anti‐asthma therapeutics. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .