Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma

Abstract

BackgroundAsthma is an inflammatory condition characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. The resolution of inflammation is an essential process to treat this condition. In this study we investigated the effect of Allium cepa L. extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on cytokine and on smooth muscle contraction in vitro and its therapeutic potential in a murine model of asthma.MethodsAcE was obtained by maceration of Allium cepa L. and it was standardized in terms of quercetin concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, using AcE 10, 100 or 1000 μg/ml or Qt 3.5, 7.5, 15 μg/ml, we measured the concentration of cytokines in spleen cell culture supernatants, and the ability to relax tracheal smooth muscle from A/J mice. In vivo, Blomia tropicalis (BT)-sensitized A/J mice were treated with AcE 100, 1000 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg Qt. We measured cell influx in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lungs, serum levels of Bt-specific IgE, cytokines levels in BAL, and lung histology.ResultsWe observed a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines, a relaxation of tracheal rings, and a reduction in total number of cells in BAL and EPO in lungs by treatment with AcE or Qt.ConclusionAcE and Qt have potential as antiasthmatic drugs, as they possess both immunomodulatory and bronchodilatory properties.

Gold-quercetin nanoparticles prevent metabolic endotoxemia-induced kidney injury by regulating TLR4/NF-kB signaling and Nrf2 pathway in high fat diet fed mice

“…26 Studies suggest that quercetin, an important flavonoid antioxidant thought to promote health, partly due to its ability to act as an antioxidant against ROS, helps in maintaining the blood pressure, fighting asthma and allergies, preventing angiocardiopathy and tumor progression, and so on. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Indeed, quercetin as a well-known flavonoid with various biological effects has been widely used in many disease models. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective actions of quercetin against kidney injury in mice fed fat-rich diet are not yet understood.…”

“…Quercetin, an important antioxidant with various bioactivities, has been widely studied in a number of disease models, such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In this regard, it was found that GQ administration can downregulate HFD-induced kidney injury by suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Of note, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism dysfunction, and serum inflammatory cytokine increase were further inhibited by GQ treatment, suggesting that GQ restrained HFD-stimulated metabolic syndrome in a dose-dependent manner.…”

“…Recently, quercetin, a beneficial bioflavonoid thought to promote health, has been shown to aid in the prevention of cancer, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, organic lesions, and other diseases. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In this study, HFD-stimulated metabolic endotoxemia followed by kidney injury was used to study the protective effects of GQ nanoparticles on lipid metabolism dysfunction and systemic inflammatory response. Indeed, a long-term intake of fat-rich diet results in hepatic dysfunction and lipid accumulation, accompanied with intestinal endotoxemia.…”

The Effect of <b><i>Allium cepa</i></b> Extract on Lung Oxidant, Antioxidant, and Immunological Biomarkers in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Rats

“…Allergic contact dermatitis or irritation and anemia were reported for A. cepa oil or its aqueous extract [11]. However, no toxic effect was observed in mice following the oral administration of 1,000 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day of A. cepa extract [10]. Moreover, no mutagenicity or oxidative DNA damage was induced by propyl propane thiosulfinate derived from organosulfur compounds isolated from A. cepa [12,13].…”

“…This plant acts as a booster of the immune system [8], and its effect on cytokines reflects its immunomodulatory property [9]. Anti-asthmatic properties of the extract of A. cepa and its constituent quercetin on cytokines, inflammatory cells, and smooth muscle contraction were shown in a murine model of asthma [10]. Allergic contact dermatitis or irritation and anemia were reported for A. cepa oil or its aqueous extract [11].…”