Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Endotracheal Intubation in Mice via Direct Laryngoscopy Using an Otoscope
Published on: April 5, 2014
Protective effect of emodin against airway inflammation in the ovalbumin-induced mouse model
Tan Wang1, Xiang-Gen Zhong, Yu-Hang Li
1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Objective:
To investigate whether emodin exerts protective effects on mouse with allergic asthma.
Methods:
A mouse model of allergic airway inflflammation was employed. The C57BL/6 mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were intraperitoneally administered 10 or 20 mg/kg emodin for 3 days during OVA challenge. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after the last challenge. Inflammatory cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BALF and level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum were measured with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-5, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
Emodin induced significant suppression of the number of OVA-induced total inflammatory cells in BALF. Treatment with emodin led to significant decreases in the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BALF and total IgE level in serum. Histological examination of lung tissue revealed marked attenuation of allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation. Additionally, emodin suppressed IL-4, IL-5 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions and induced HO-1 mRNA expression.
Conclusion:
Emodin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in the airway inflammation mouse model, supporting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma.
