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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Allergic Rhinitis Research with Multicolor Immunofluorescence
Published on: September 22, 2023
Bufotalin ameliorates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis by restoring the Tregs
Qiang Ji1, Shoulei Ren2, Ling Li1
1Department of Pharmacy, Sunshine Union Hospital, 9000 Yingqian Street, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 261043, China.
Background:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases. IgE, inflammatory cytokine production and Th17/Tregs imbalance have been implicated in AR pathogenesis. Bufotalin, a component extracted from toad venom skin secretions and auricular glands, has anti-inflammatory activity and regulates Th17/Tregs balance. Here, the effects of bufotalin on AR were explored.
Methods:
The AR mice model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). AR mice were treated with bufotalin started on Day 22 with various doses (1, 10, 100 μg or 1 mg per mouse) every day to Day 30. The sneezing and rubbing frequencies were counted. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-10 and OVA-specific IgE were measured. The superficial cervical lymph nodes were harvested and the percentage of Tregs in lymph node was determined using CD4 and Foxp3 markers.
Results:
OVA treatment successfully induced AR model in mice with significantly increased sneezing and rubbing frequency, elevated levels of serum histamine, IL-1β, IL-10 and OVA-specific IgE. Bufotalin treatment significantly ameliorated AR symptoms, with reduced histamine, IgE and IL-1β levels, as well as sneezing and rubbing frequency. Moreover, bufotalin treatment decreased the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-10 and OVA-specific IgE in AR mice.
Conlcusion:
Bufotalin ameliorated allergic rhinitis symptoms in AR mice by restoring Tregs in lymph node.
