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  3. Immunomodulatory effects of two silymarin isomers in a Balb/c mouse model of allergic asthma

Immunomodulatory effects of two silymarin isomers in a Balb/c mouse model of allergic asthma

  • Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2020 Nov-Dec;48(6):646-653. doi: 10.1016/j.aller.2020.01.003.
Entezar Mehrabi Nasab 1,  Seyyede Masoume Athari 2,  Saadat Ghafarzade 3,  Abdol-Rahman Mehrabi Nasab 4,  Seyyed Shamsadin Athari 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Maragheh University, Maragheh, Iran.
  • 3 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran.
  • 4 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
  • 5 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. Electronic address: SS.Athari@zums.ac.ir.
PMID: 32284261 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2020.01.003
Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Allergic asthma is a complex chronic disease of the respiratory system presenting with cough, dyspnea, wheezing and airway obstruction. More than 300 million people of all age spectrums suffer from asthma worldwide. Immunological and inflammatory processes are main contributors to asthma. Cytokines produced by T helper 2 lymphocytes play main roles in asthma development and progression. Silymarin, a therapeutic agent with anti-oxidative properties, is a main component of Silybium marinum. We herein aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of two silymarin isomers, isosilybin A and silydianin, in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Materials and methods: After isolating and purifying isosilybin A and silydianin, Balb/c mouse model of allergic asthma was produced using ovalbumin injection. Seventy mice were categorized into five (1 normal and 4 asthmatic) groups (n = 14 per group). Mice in three of four asthmatic groups were treated with either isosilybin A, silydianin or budesonide. The 4th asthmatic group was used as positive control, with the non-asthmatic group serving as negative control. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in the BAL fluid were determined. Gene expressions of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and MUC5AC, as well as IgE serum level were also measured. Cellular composition of BAL fluid and lungs histopathology were finally investigated.

Results: Isosilybin A and silydianin reduced eosinophilic infiltration of lungs, IL-4 and IL-5 levels in BAL fluid, IL-4 and IL-5 gene expressions, as well as AHR in Balb/c mouse model of asthma. However, no significant changes were observed in IL-13 level and mucus hyper-secretion.

Conclusion: According to our study, isosilybin A and silydianin can control main symptoms of asthma by modulating immune responses.

Keywords

Allergy; Asthma; Inflammation; Isosilybin A; Silydianin.

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