The ethanolic extract from Erythrina mulungu Benth. flowers attenuates allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma

Author(s)

Amorim, Jowanka ^[1] ; Borges, Marcos de Carvalho ^[1] ; Fabro, Alexandre Todorovic ^[1] ; Taleb Contini, Silvia Helena ^[2] ; Valdevite, Mayara ^[2] ; Soares Pereira, Ana Maria ^[2] ; Carmona, Fabio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ave Bandeirantes S-N, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biotechnol Med Plants, Ave Costabile Romano 2201, BR-14096900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology; v. 242, OCT 5 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Erythrina mulungu Benth. ({''}mulungu{''}, Fabaceae) is a Brazilian native species with ethnopharmacological use for respiratory diseases. However, the effects of E. mulungu on the respiratory were never studied. Aims of the study: To evaluate the effects of an ethanolic extract from flowers of E. mulungu in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in mice, and to study the mechanisms involved. Materials and methods: OVA-sensitized mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) treated with four doses (200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg) of the E. mulungu extract or dexamethasone (DEXA, 2 mg/kg) during seven consecutive days and simultaneously challenged with intranasal OVA. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was evaluated in vivo, 24 h after the last OVA challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was collected for counting the number of total and differential inflammatory cells. Blood was collected for measurement of anti-OVA IgE levels. Levels of cytokines interleukin (IL) 4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and interferon (INF)-gamma were measured in pulmonary homogenate by ELISA. The recruitment of inflammatory cells to the lung tissue was determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining (H\&E). The extract's chromatographic profile was evaluated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Results: The treatment with E. mulungu extract significantly reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness, significantly reduced the number of leukocytes, eosinophils, and lymphocytes in BAL, and significantly decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5, while increased levels of IL-13 and INF-gamma. In addition, E. mulungu significantly decreased the cellular inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissue. Erysotrine, erysotrine-N-oxide, and hypaphorine were the major constituents identified in the extract. Conclusion. Collectively, these results confirm the potential of E. mulungu for asthma treatment, through modulation of inflammatory response, supporting its ethnopharmacological use for respiratory diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20600-4 - Study of asthma prevention and treatment with the administration of viable and heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a murine model of allergic asthma
• Grantee: Marcos de Carvalho Borges
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants