Intranasal curcumin regulates chronic asthma in mice by modulating NF-ĸB activation and MAPK signaling

Curcumin, a natural product found in the plant Curcuma longa, has been reported to have diverse range of molecular targets that influence numerous biochemical and molecular cascades including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of intranasal curcumin on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic asthma and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms.

Mice were sensitized and exposed to 2% OVA aerosol for 2 times in a week for five consecutive weeks to study effect of intranasal curcumin on various MAPK pathway enzymes involved in chronic asthma and its effect on the activation of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB).

Curcumin treatment decreased the ROS level in BALF and nitrite level in blood serum of chronic asthmatic mice. Curcumin treatment had significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK1/2, and p38 and COX-2 expression thereby nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and expression in lung tissues.

These results suggest that intranasal curcumin protects against asthma via action on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NF-κB signaling pathways.