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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Menthone Inhalation Alleviates Local and Systemic Allergic Inflammation in Ovalbumin-Sensitized and Challenged
1Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Menthone is rich in Mentha × Piperita L. essential oil and it has anti-inflammatory properties; research shows that it is useful, via percutaneous absorption, in treating inflammation-related diseases. However, anti-allergic inflammatory effects of volatile menthone have not yet been used to treat allergic asthma, in vivo. We hypothesized that menthone inhalation may have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in patients with allergic asthma. Therefore, in our study, menthone inhalation was used to treat ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged asthmatic mice. Allergic inflammation mediator changes in the lungs and airways, sera, splenocytes, and peritoneal macrophages of the mice were measured. Relative expression amounts of six receptor genes related to allergic inflammation of the lungs and airways were quantitated using a two-step real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results showed that menthone inhalation increased serum OVA-specific IgG2a/IgG1 and IgG2a/IgE ratios, increased Th1-type cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and decreased nitric oxide, protein, and eotaxin levels. Menthone inhalation inhibited mast cell and eosinophil degranulation, and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3 (Ccr3) gene expression amounts, but (relatively) increased Th1 cytokine secretion by splenocytes. Our results evidence that menthone inhalation alleviates local and systemic allergic inflammation in asthmatic mice.
Insights
Inhaling menthone, found in peppermint oil, reduced allergic inflammation in asthma models. This study shows menthone inhalation effectively alleviates allergic asthma symptoms in mice.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Menthone, present in *Mentha* × *Piperita* L. essential oil, possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- Percutaneous absorption of menthone is recognized for treating inflammation-related diseases.
- The anti-allergic inflammatory effects of volatile menthone via inhalation have not been explored for allergic asthma treatment *in vivo*.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of menthone inhalation in a mouse model of allergic asthma.
- To evaluate the impact of menthone inhalation on allergic inflammation mediators and immune responses in asthmatic mice.
Main Methods:
- Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged asthmatic mice were treated with menthone inhalation.
- Analysis included allergic inflammation mediators in lungs, airways, sera, splenocytes, and peritoneal macrophages.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of six key receptor genes involved in allergic inflammation.
Main Results:
- Menthone inhalation increased serum OVA-specific IgG2a/IgG1 and IgG2a/IgE ratios.
- It enhanced Th1-type cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and splenocytes, while decreasing nitric oxide, protein, and eotaxin levels.
- Menthone inhibited mast cell and eosinophil degranulation and downregulated *chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3* (Ccr3) gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Menthone inhalation demonstrates significant anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of allergic asthma.
- These findings suggest menthone inhalation is a potential therapeutic strategy for alleviating local and systemic allergic inflammation in asthma.
- Further research into menthone's therapeutic potential for allergic respiratory diseases is warranted.
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