Abies holophylla Leaf Essential Oil Alleviates Allergic Rhinitis Based on Network Pharmacology

Abstract

Abies holophylla is an evergreen coniferous species that has been widely used for treating pulmonary diseases and colds. Previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of Abies species and the anti-asthmatic activities of Abies holophylla leaf essential oil (AEO). As asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) share pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutic interventions, AEO inhalation can also ameliorate upper respiratory allergic diseases. This study explored the protective effects of AEO on AR with network pharmacological pathway prediction. The potential target pathways of AEO were analyzed by a network pharmacological approach. The BALB/c mice were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA) and 10 μm particular matter (PM10) to induce allergic rhinitis. Aerosolized AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% were delivered by nebulizer for 5 min a day, 3 times a week for 7 weeks. Nasal symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), histopathological changes in nasal tissues, serum IgE, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expressions on nasal tissues were analyzed. After AR induction with OVA+PM10 and inhalation of AEO 0.0003% and 0.03% treatment, AEO significantly decreased allergic symptoms (sneezing and rubbing), hyperplasia of nasal epithelial thickness, goblet cell counts, and serum IgE level. The network analysis demonstrated that the possible molecular mechanism of AEO is highly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway and tight junction. The target pathway of AEO was investigated in RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cells. Treatment of AEO on PM10-treated nasal epithelial cells significantly reduced the production of inflammatory mediators related to the IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-κB, and the MAPK signaling pathway and prevented the reduction in TJ-related factors. When taken together, AEO inhalation may be considered as a potential treatment for AR by alleviating nasal inflammation and recovering the tight junction.

Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Pinaceae Species

“…A leaf EO of A. holophylla reduced asthma symptoms in a mouse model and inhibited the IL-17 signaling pathway, as well as the activity of NF-kB [ 234 ]. The same mechanism was shown to explain the benefits of the same EO in a murine model of allergic rhinitis [ 235 ].…”

Updated epithelial barrier dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis: Targeting pathophysiology and treatment response of tight junctions

“…Numerous studies have observed that PM 2.5 and PM 10 can induce varying degrees of impairment in the nasal epithelial barrier, leading to a reduction in ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 expression. [144][145][146][147][148][149][150] Meanwhile, DEP causes nasal epithelial leakage by downregulating ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 while upregulating claudin-8 in IT-derived HNECs and BALB/c mice. 151,152 Cigarette smoke also impairs barrier by reducing ZO-1 and JAM-A expression in sinus-derived HNECs.…”

“…138 Although it remains unclear whether dexamethasone (Dex) can effectively alleviate symptoms in CRS, there is evidence suggesting that Dex can reverse the impairment of TJs in IL-13-induced primary HNECs 93 and PM 10 -induced RPMI2650 cells. 146,147 Meanwhile, oral administration 136 and nasal aerosol inhalation 146,147 while preventing ZO-1 degradation in the nasal epithelium of OVAinduced AR mice. 138 An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the potential efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating CRS 170 and AR.…”

“…171,172 However, the precise mechanism of TCM remains unclear, which hinders its widespread adoption in clinical practice. Two studies suggest that Mahuang Fuzi Xixin 141 and Xiaoqinglong decoc- For instance, Abies holophylla 146 and Mentha piperita 147 alleviated PM 10 -induced stimulation, Wogonin 120 counteracted the effects of RV through AKT/NF-κB and ERK1/2 pathway, and Piper nigrum 136 mitigated the impact of OVA via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. The above findings suggest that TCM significantly restores the impaired nasal epithelial barrier, thereby providing a novel therapeutic approach for treating CRS and AR.…”

Based on IL-4/JNK/c-Jun pathway, the effect of Jianpi Yishentongqiao Keli on allergic rhinitis was studied

“…Studies [9] have shown that TCM has long-term e cacy in alleviating AR symptoms. For example, Magnoliae Flos, Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim and other traditional Chinese medicines were used to treat rhinitis in ancient times [10], and modern pharmacological studies have con rmed that these drugs hold the effect to treat rhinitis.…”