Effects of Oral Administration of Ocimum Basilicum on Goblet Cell Hyperplasia and Upstream Cytokine Gene Expression in Allergic Asthma; [Effets De L'administration Orale D'ocimum Basilicum Sur L'hyperplasie Des Cellules Caliciformes Et De L'expression En Amont Des Genes Des Cytokines Dans L'asthme Allergique] Publisher



Mehrabi Nasaba E¹ ; Athari SM² ; Motlagh B³ ; Athari SS⁴
Source: Revue Francaise d'Allergologie Published:2020

Abstract

Background: Ocimum basilicum (OB) possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The components of this plant have been used to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma. Aim: This study examined the effects of OB seeds on upstream cytokine gene expression and bronchial goblet cell hyperplasia in a murine asthma model. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of daily consumption of OB seeds were investigated by gene expression of interleukins IL-8, 9, 11, 25 and 33 and eotaxin production. Two groups of 6-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) plus alum on days 1 and 14. On days 24, 26, 28 and 30, the mice were exposed to OVA in saline for 30 minutes using a nebulizer. One of the asthmatic groups received OB seeds orally on days 25, 27 and 29. Identical tests were conducted on mice receiving saline as negative controls. Results: OB significantly reduced mRNA expression for IL-8, 9, 11, 25, 33 and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the mice (P < 0.05). Further, goblet cell hyperplasia was significantly decreased in OB-treated mice (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that OB may inhibit expression of Th2 upstream cytokines and goblet cell hyperplasia in OVA-induced asthma and thus alleviate allergic asthma in the mouse model. © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS