Antiasthmic effect of fermented Artemisia princeps in asthmic mice induced by ovalbumin

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.
• Artemisia princeps Pampanini (AP) has demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory properties.
• Probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium infantis K-525, are known to modulate immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antiasthmic effects of Artemisia princeps Pampanini (AP) fermented with Bifidobacterium infantis K-525 (FAP).
• To compare the efficacy of FAP with unfermented AP in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of FAP's antiasthmic activity, focusing on cytokine regulation.

Main Methods:

• Ovalbumin-induced asthma model in mice.
• Administration of AP and FAP.
• Measurement of IgE levels in blood.
• Analysis of inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-4) in trachea and lungs.
• Assessment of mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in RBL-2H3 cells.

Main Results:

• Both AP and FAP reduced IgE levels in asthmatic mice.
• FAP demonstrated a more potent reduction in IgE, IL-6, and IL-4 in the trachea and lungs compared to AP.
• AP and FAP inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in IgE-induced RBL-2H3 cells.
• The in vivo antiasthmic effect of FAP was superior to that of AP.

Conclusions:

• Fermentation of AP with Bifidobacterium infantis K-525 enhances its antiasthmic properties.
• FAP effectively regulates key inflammatory mediators involved in asthma pathogenesis.
• The enhanced efficacy of FAP is likely attributed to its ability to modulate the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha.