Perilla extract and asthma

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Rosmarinic acid in perilla extract inhibits allergic inflammation

induced by mite allergen, in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND:

Perilla and its constituent rosmarinic acid have been suggested to

have anti-allergic activity. However, few studies have examined the

effects on allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral

administration of perilla leaf extract, which contains high amount of

rosmarinic acid, on a murine model of allergic asthma induced by

house dust mite allergen.

METHODS:

C3H/He mice were sensitized by intratracheal administration of

Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f). Mice were orally treated with

rosmarinic acid in perilla extract (PE) (1.5 mg/mouse/day).

RESULTS:

Der f challenge of sensitized mice elicited pulmonary

eosinophilic inflammation, accompanied by an increase in lung

expression of IL-4 and IL-5, and eotaxin.

Daily treatment with rosmarinic acid in PE significantly prevented

the ncreases in the numbers of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage

fluids and also in those around murine airways.

Rosmarinic acid in PE treatment also inhibited the enhanced protein

expression of IL-4 and IL-5, and eotaxin in the lungs of sensitized

mice. Der f challenge also enhanced allergen-specific IgG1, which

were also inhibited by rosmarinic acid in PE.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that oral administration of perilla-

derived rosmarinic acid is an effective intervention for allergic

asthma, possibly through the amelioration of increases in cytokines,

chemokines, and allergen-specific antibody.

http://www.allen-health.com/perillaleafresearch.htm

Alana