Myricetin alleviates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice by regulating Th1/Th2 balance

Objective:To evaluate the effect of myricetin on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.Methods:Mice were sensitized and challenged using OVA(5%,500 mL)intraperitoneally and intranasally,respectively,on an alternative day for 14 days,followed by administration of myricetin(50,100,and 200 mg/kg)till day 21.Nasal symptoms,biochemical parameters,protein expressions,and histopathology were observed.Results:OVA-induced increased nasal symptoms including rubbing,sneezing,and discharge were significantly reduced by myricetin(100and 200 mg/kg)(P<0.05).Myricetin also protected against histamine challenge and attenuated elevated serum immunoglobulin E(IgE;total and OVA-specific),total IgG1,andβ-hexosaminidase levels,as well as leukotriene C4 and interleukins levels in nasal lavage fluid(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed that myricetin significantly upregulated the protein expression of T-box expressed in T cells,while downregulating the protein expression of GATA binding protein 3,NF-κB,and IκB-α(P<0.05).Additionally,OVA-induced histopathological abberations in the nasal mucosa was markedly ameliorated by myricetin treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions:Myricetin exerts anti-allergic effects against OVAinduced allergic rhinitis via regulating Th1/Th2 balance.

Effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on Th1/Th2 balance in cough variant asthma mice

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on cough variant asthma(CVA)mice and to investigate the possible mechanism in reducing lung inflammation.Methods:48 young female Balb/c mice were divided into Control,CVA,Prednisone Acetate,Glycyrrhetinic Acid high-dose,Glycyrrhetinic Acid middle-dose and Glycyrrhetinic Acid lowdose groups randomly,with 8 mice in each group.The CVA mice model was established by ovalbumin(OVA)sensitization and OVA challenge,the animal asthma behavior was observed after drug administration,and the index of the lung of mice were recorded.The level of OVAsIgE in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was tested by ELISA.The pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed by Hematoxylin and Eosin(H&E)staining.The protein expressions of T-bet,IFN-γ,Gata3,IL-4 and IL-13 in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot.Results:Compared with the CVA group,the index of lung of mice,the OVA-sIgE level in BALF and expression levels of Th2-related factor in the lung tissue of mice in Prednisone Acetate and Glycyrrhetinic Acid groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung tissue was reduced,while expressions of Th1-related factor in the lung tissue was significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Glycyrrhetinic acid has therapeutic effect on CVA mice,the underlying mechanism of Glycyrrhetinic acid alleviating lung impairment and airway inflammation may be associated with mediating the Th1/Th2 imbalance in the lung tissue.

All-transRetinoic Acid Regulates Th1/Th2 Balance in CD4+T cells When GATA-3 is Deficient

The essential effect of vitamin A on immune function occurs through various mechanisms including direct effect on ThloTh2 balance modulation. However, it is unclear whether or not vitamin A can regulate Thl-Th2 balance under a strong Thl-polarizing condition. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to examine the effect of vitamin A metabolite allotrans retinoic acid （ATRA） on ThloTh2 differentiation in CD4~ T cells under GATA-3 deficiency, which can induce Thl-polarizing condition. In the present study, GATA-3 deficiency T cells were induced by siRNA and checked by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. GATA-3 deficiency CD4＋ T cells and normal CD4＋ T were treated for 48 h with or without ATRA.

Effect of Th1/Th2 balance on serum prostaglandin,COX-2,AVP and OT in primary dysmenorrhea rats with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome

Objective:Explore the role of Th1/Th2 balance in the pathogenesis of primary dysmenorrhea through study the effect of Th1/Th2 balance drift on serum prostaglandin F_(2α),prostaglandin,6-keto-prostaglandin F_(1α),TXB2,COX-2,AVP and OT in Primary Dysmenorrhea Rats with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome.Method:The rat model of primary dysmenorrhea with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome was established.On the basis of this model,Th1 shift model and Th2 shift model were established.The rats were divided into blank group,model group,Th1 shifting group and Th2 shifting group.The writhing reaction of rats in each group was compared,and the contents of PGF_(2α),PGE_(2),6-keto-PGF_(1α),TXB2,COX-2,AVP and OT in serum were detected.Results:Writhing latency:There was no significant difference between Th1 and Th2 shifting groups(P>0.05),Th2 shifting group was shorter than Th1 shifting group(P<0.05).Writhing times in 30 minutes:Compared with the model group,the writhing times of Th1 shifting group decreased significantly(P<0.01),while Th2 shifting group increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the blank group,the contents of PGF_(2α),TXB2,COX-2,AVP and OT were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the contents of 6-keto-PGF_(1α)and PGE_(2)were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the contents of PGF_(2α),TXB2,COX-2 and AVP in Th1 shifting group were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the contents of 6-keto-PGF_(1α)and PGE_(2)were increased(P<0.01),while the contents of PGF_(2α),TXB2,COX-2,AVP and OT in Th2 shifting group were increased(P<0.01),and the contents of 6-keto-PGF_(1α)and PGE_(2)were decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The intervention of Th1/Th2 cell balance on the expression of PGF_(2α),PGE_(2),6-keto-PGF_(1α),TXB2,COX-2,AVP and OT may be one of the pathogenesis of PD with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome.

Scutellarin alleviates complete freund’s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Scutellarin(SCU)is a herbal flavonoid glucuronide with multiple pharmacological activities,including antioxidant,anti-inflammation,vascular relaxation,anti-platelet,and myocardial protection.However,the effect of SCU on complete Freund’s adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis(RA)had not been studied.In this study,we investigated the beneficial effects of SCU in the CFA-induced RA mice model and the anti-arthritic activity was evaluated by paw edema.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was carried out to evaluate the plasma levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgE,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand(RANKL),and osteoprotegerin(OPG).Histological slides were prepared from the harvested paws of mice to determine the pathological changes in the joints.The proportions of T helper type 1(Th1)and T helper type 2(Th2)cells of CD4+T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.The expression of Kelch-like ECHassociated protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)was analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and western blotting assays.The present study demonstrated that SCU prevented CFA-induced RA,and inhibited the expression of inflammation factors,IgG,IgE,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6.While SCU also reduced the RANKL level,it increased OPG expression in RA mice.The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly lower in mice treated with SCU.Additionally,HO-1 expression was reduced while the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 was elevated following SCU treatment.Results provide preliminary evidence to employ SCU in arthritis treatment which might be related to the regulation of Th1/Th2 balance and the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Potential immunomodulatory role of sesamin in combating immune dysregulation associated with COVID-19

The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),has caused an unprecedented global health crisis.Development of a cure for this devastating disease is currently at full speed,with several vaccines against COVID-19 already authorized and administered.Currently,demand for these vaccines far exceeds supply.As such,boosting immunity represents a viable route to halt the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and limit fatalities until vaccines become more readily and widely available.The use of phytochemicals appears to be a promising panacea.Sesamin,a lignan isolated from Sesamum indicum seeds,is known for its potent pharmacological properties,and is therefore hypothesized as a potential candidate in the therapeutic regimen against COVID-19.Herein,we highlight the confirmed therapeutic anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory potential of sesamin against myriads of respiratory disorders,and tentatively suggest that sesamin may exert similar potent effects against COVID-19.Precisely,we speculate that sesamin may help alleviate COVID-19 via restoring Th1/Th2 balance and preventing inflammation and cytokine storm development.Additionally,we further support the promising role of sesamin against COVID-19 by underscoring the direct evidence,which suggests that sesamin may demonstrate promising inhibitory potential against three important SARS-CoV-2 targets,namely main protease,spike protein,and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor.Although preliminary,there is ample evidence to propose sesamin as a potential phytotherapeutic and prophylactic candidate against COVID-19.Further in vitro,in vivo,and preclinical studies are required to further substantiate the role of sesamin in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19.

Effect of acitretin on the T helper cells of psoriasis vulgaris

Objective To investigate the effects of acitretin on T helper cell(Th)1/Th2 balance and Th17 cells in psoriasis vulgaris(PV)patients.Methods A total of 13 men and 17 women with PV were investigated.10 mg of acitretin was administered twice a day for 8 weeks for intervention therapy.Serum levels of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ),interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.T,Th1,Th2 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies were counted with double-labeled immunofluorescence.Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI)score was calculated before and 8 weeks after treatment.Results Before treatment PV patients had higher serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17,and increased T,Th1 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies.After treatment,both serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17,and T,Th1 and Th17 cells infiltrating in PV skin decreased significantly.Th1/Th2 balance was restored to normal.However,their IL-4 and Th2 cells showed no significant change throughout the therapy.Conclusion Acitretin exerts influence on dermal Th1/Th2 balance and Th17 cell infiltration,so does it on production of systematic inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 in PV patients.However,Th2 cells and its derivative cytokine—IL-4 are not affected.