Apigenin Attenuates Allergic Responses of Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Through Modulation of Th1/Th2 Responses in Experimental Mice

Overview

Journal Dose Response

Publisher Sage Publications

Date 2020 Mar 14

PMID 32165873

Citations 12

Authors

Feng Chen

Dongyun He

Bailing Yan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated immune-inflammatory response mainly affecting nasal mucosa. Apigenin, a flavonoid, has been documented to possess promising anti-allergic potential.

Aim: To determine the potential mechanism of action of apigenin against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR by assessing various behavioral, biochemical, molecular, and ultrastructural modifications.

Materials And Methods: Allergic rhinitis was induced in BALB/c mice (18-22 grams) by sensitizing it with OVA (5%, 500 μL, intraperitoneal [IP] on each consecutive day, for 13 days) followed by intranasal challenge with OVA (5%, 5 μL per nostril on day 21). Animals were treated with either vehicle (distilled water, 10 mg/kg, IP) or apigenin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, IP).

Results: Intranasal challenge of OVA resulted in significant induction ( < .05) of AR reflected by an increase in nasal symptoms (sneezing, rubbing, and discharge), which were ameliorated significantly ( < .05) by apigenin (10 and 20 mg/kg) treatment. It also significantly inhibited ( < .05) OVA-induced elevated serum histamine, OVA-specific IgE, total IgE, and IgG1 and β-hexosaminidase levels. Ovalbumin-induced increased levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and interferon (IFN)-γ in nasal lavage fluid were significantly decreased ( < .05) by apigenin. Ovalbumin-induced alterations in splenic GATA binding protein 3 (ie, erythroid transcription factor) (GATA3), T-box protein expressed in T cells (T-bet), signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6), suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha messenger RNA, as well as protein expressions were significantly inhibited ( < .05) by apigenin. It also significantly ameliorated ( < .05) nasal and spleen histopathologic and ultrastructure aberration induced by OVA.

Conclusion: Apigenin regulates Th1/Th2 balance via suppression in expressions of Th2 response (IgE, histamine, ILs, GATA3, STAT6, SOCS1, and NF-κB) and activation of Th1 response (IFN-γ and T-bet) to exert its anti-allergic potential in a murine model of OVA-induced AR.

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