Intranasal administration of Lignosus�rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden (Tiger Milk mushroom) extract attenuates airway inflammation in murine model of allergic asthma

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the airways that involves the activation of cells and mediators. Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvardan or Tiger Milk mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases including asthma. In this study, the protective effects of intranasal administration of L. rhinocerotis extract (LRE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation mouse model were investigated. Mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection on days 0 and 14, followed by a daily challenge with 1% OVA from days 21 to 27. Following OVA challenge, LRE and dexamethasone were administered via intranasal and i.p. injection respectively. On day 28, the level of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E, differential cell counts and T-helper (Th) 2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) fluid, cell subset population in lung-draining lymph nodes (LNs), leukocytes infiltration and mucus production in the lungs of the animals was measured. Results demonstrated that intranasal administration of LRE significantly suppressed the level of inflammatory cell counts in BALF as well as populations of CD4 + T-cells in lung draining LNs. Apart from that, LRE also significantly reduced the level of Th2 cytokines in BALF and IgE in the serum in OVA-induced asthma. Histological analysis also demonstrated the amelioration of leukocytes infiltration and mucus production in the lungs. Overall, these findings demonstrated the attenuation of airway inflammation in the LRE-treated mice therefore suggesting a promising alternative for the management of allergic airway inflammation.

Lignosus rhinocerotis Cooke Ryvarden ameliorates airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma

“…In this study, we demonstrated reduced number of eosinophils and neutrophils (p<0.05) in the BALF following LRE and dexamethasone administrations. Similar findings on attenuation of the eosinophil infiltration in the peribronchial region of the lungs were reported previously [ 14 , 15 ]. Previously, Green et al reported suppression of eosinophil and T-lymphocyte inflammation by corticosteroids without preventing neutrophil accumulation indicating that the two markers (eosinophil and T-lymphocyte) are important in resistant development [ 27 ].…”

“…Previous studies reported the anti-asthmatic effects of LRE to be occurring via attenuation of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs tissue, reduction in Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in the BALF as well as reduction in serum IgE levels [14,15]. In this study, oral administration of LRE at different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) showed varying responses.…”

“…Allergic asthma is a multifactorial disease involving numerous clinical symptoms including airway inflammation, manifested as airway hyperresponsiveness, elevated IgE level and Th2 cytokines, goblet cell hyperplasia, excessive mucus secretion and eosinophil infiltration. Previous studies reported the anti-asthmatic effects of LRE to be occurring via attenuation of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs tissue, reduction in Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in the BALF as well as reduction in serum IgE levels [ 14 , 15 ]. In this study, oral administration of LRE at different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) showed varying responses.…”

“…It was previously reported that the Temuan tribe in Malaysia used the mushroom by boiling its sclerotium with other herbs to reduce cough and asthma symptoms [13]. Previous studies reported that oral and intranasal administrations of L. rhinocerotis extract (LRE) had attenuated asthmatic parameters by reducing Th2-type cytokines level, IgE and leukocyte infiltration in the lungs [14,15].…”

“…Previous studies reported that oral and intranasal administrations of L . rhinocerotis extract (LRE) had attenuated asthmatic parameters by reducing Th2-type cytokines level, IgE and leukocyte infiltration in the lungs [ 14 , 15 ].…”