Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation in which T helper (Th) 2 cells play a critical role. The molecular mechanisms controlling Th2 differentiation and function are of paramount importance in biology and immunology. PKC has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis and NF-B, as well as in the control of T-dependent responses, although no defects were detected in naïve T cells from PKC ؊/؊ mice. Here, we report that PKC is critical for IL-4 signaling and Th2 differentiation. Thus, PKC levels are increased during Th2 differentiation, but not Th1 differentiation, of CD4 ؉ T cells, and the loss of PKC impairs the secretion of Th2 cytokines in vitro and in vivo, as well as the nuclear translocation and tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat6 and Jak1 activation, essential downstream targets of IL-4 signaling. Moreover, PKC ؊/؊ mice display dramatic inhibition of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway disease, strongly suggesting that PKC can be a therapeutic target in asthma.apoptosis ͉ asthma ͉ NF-B

Lippia pedunculosa Hayek (EOLp) presents tripanocid and amebicid effects. However essential oil needs to be further studied in experimental models of analgesia and inflammation once the prevalence of pain in the population generates great suffering and disability and the drugs most often used have undesirable side effects. We also evaluated whether the inclusion complex formulation EOLp/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was able to improve the antinociceptive activity of the EOLp alone. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s test. Differences were considered significant if p<0.05. EOLp presented better antinociceptive effect when compared to the EOLp/β-CD inclusion complex. Thus, cyclodextrins appear not to be efficient for essential oils with peroxide substances. However, in peritonitis, EOLp reduced total leucocyte migration and IL-1β levels in the peritoneal fluid, which confirmed its anti-inflammatory effect. The observed effects suggest that EOLp is the best promising option for the treatment of inflammation and pain-related disorders.