Rubusoside alleviates the ovalbumin-induced mice allergic asthma by modulating the NF-κB activation

The anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic effects of rubusoside (Rbs) were investigated in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice, followed by effective attenuation of Rbs treatment on the airway hyperresponsiveness and reduction of inflammatory cells inside the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The mitigation of inflammatory infiltration as a result of Rbs treatment was histologically observed in these mice lungs. Rbs contributed to the decrease of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-13, IL-6, IL-5, and IL-4) inside the BALF of mice with asthma. A decline of OVA-dependent IgE and IgG1 inside the serum was also noticed in these mice. Rbs was proved to enhance the mRNA level of Foxp3 inside the mice lung affected with asthma while decrease that of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt. NF-κB pathway activation elicited by OVA was suppressed by Rbs inside the pulmonary tissues. Rbs played significantly in the reduction of airway inflammation induced by OVA which with modulating NF-κB pathway activation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Simultaneous therapy with medicine and food is strategically significant for disease prevention and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Rbs is a diterpene glycoside isolated from Rubus suavissimus. The anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic mechanism dependent of Rbs need further study clinically. The goal of current investigation is to explore the anti-inflammatory as well as anti-asthmatic activity of Rbs in mouse models of OVA-induced experimental allergic asthma. Results of the present study are scientifically supportive for the use of Rbs as an adjunctive reagent for clinical treatment of allergic asthma.