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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Identification and Characterization of Immunogenic RNA Species in HDM Allergens that Modulate Eosinophilic Lung Inflammation
Published on: May 30, 2020
An Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees extract standardized for three main Andrographolides prevents house dust
Ibrahim Sulaiman1, Emmanuel Oshiogwe Okwuofu1, Norhafizah Mohtarrudin2
1Pharmacotherapeutic Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees (AP) is an herb used traditionally in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory and respiratory tract diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory potential of standardized Andrographis paniculata 50% ethanol extract (APEE50) in the murine model of asthma has not been investigated.
Aim Of The Study:
This study aimed to evaluate the protective anti-inflammatory potential and better understand the underlying mechanism of action of APEE50 in a clinically-relevant mouse asthma model. Thereafter, develop the ethanolic extract of AP as a supplement for asthma prophylaxis.
Materials And Method:
APEE50 was prepared and standardized for AGP, NAG, and DDAG using a high-performance liquid chromatography system. Asthma was induced according to a 14-day house dust mite (HDM) induction protocol. The prophylactic potential of APEE50 (50 mg/kg - 200 mg/kg) was determined by assessing cardinal asthma features, which included BALF leukocyte and differential cell count, BALF cytokine assay, histology, gene expression, and airway hyperreactivity study.
Results:
APEE50 significantly inhibited HDM-induced airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia. In addition to decreased levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar fluid, APEE50 abrogated HDM-induced airway mucus over-secretion and airway hyper-responsiveness. Administration of APEE50 downregulated HDM-induced upregulation of the oxidative stress enzyme Duox1 (dual oxidase 1) and marginally induced Nfe2l2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) gene expressions. Similarly, Th2-related (Serpinb2, Clca3a1, Il4 and Il13) and Muc5ac gene expression were significantly downregulated.
Conclusion:
Prophylactic administration of APEE50 prevented the progression of HDM-induced asthmatic responses by down-regulating Th2 cytokine gene expression and oxidative stress level.
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