Morel LJDF, Azevedo BCD, Carmona F, Contini SHT, Teles AM, Ramalho FS, Bertoni BW, França SDC, Borges MDC, Pereira AMS. A standardized methanol extract of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae) reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness and production of Th2 cytokines in a murine model of asthma.
J Ethnopharmacol 2017;
198:226-234. [PMID:
27956356 DOI:
10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae) has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
AIMS OF THE STUDY
To investigate the effects of different doses of a standardized extract of E. prostrata using a murine model of allergen induced asthma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Balb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) administered intraperitoneally and challenged over four alternate days with nasal instillations of OVA solution. The standardized methanol extract of E. prostrata was administered in doses of 100, 250 and 500mgkg-1 concomitantly with nasal instillation over seven consecutive days. Control animals were treated with dexamethasone or saline solution. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, allergen sensitization, airway and lung inflammation, mucous secretion and airway remodeling were assessed.
RESULTS
The concentrations of chemical markers in the standardized methanol extract were 0.02% oroboside, 1.69% demethylwedelolactone and 1.71% wedelolactone. Treatment with 250mgkg-1 of extract, which provided 0.745, 4.22 and 4.30mgkg-1day-1 of oroboside, demethylwedelolactone and wedelolactone, respectively, significantly reduced (P<0.05) respiratory resistance and elastance. Such effects were comparable with those produced by dexamethasone. The total number of inflammatory cells and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in lung homogenate were significantly reduced (P<0.05) by the methanol extract of E. prostrata.
CONCLUSION
The results presented herein demonstrate for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of E. prostrata in a murine model of asthma, thereby supporting the ethnopharmacological uses of the plant.
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