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Immunomodulatory Effects of Astragalus gypsicolus Hydroalcoholic Extract in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Mice Model

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that herbal extracts possess various biological effects including anti-inflammatory and  anti-cancer  activities. The  present  study  was aimed to investigate the protective effects of the Astragalus gypsicolus  (AG) hydroalcoholic extract in early allergic sensitized mice induced by ovalbumin.
Phytochemical assay was used  to  recognize the  main active constituents  in the  AG hydroalcoholic extract. Mice were immunized with subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide. Efficiency of  sensitization was assessed by serum  IgE  levels and eosinophil count. After sensitization, two doses of extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) were injected intrapritoneally.
On  day 14, mice were challenged with intrapritoneal injection of ovalbumin. IL-4 and IFNγ  levels in  broncoalveolar  lavage fluid, which had  been  collected on  day 15, were assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit.
Our results indicate two main active constituents including flavonoids and terpenoids are present in the AG hydroalcoholic extract. Intrapritoneal injection of the AG hydroalcoholic extract was able to decrease IL-4 and increase IFNγ. It seems the AG hydroalcoholic extract has the potential to modulate the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in allergy.

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IssueVol 10, No 4 (2011) QRcode
SectionArticles
Keywords
Astragalus gypsicolus Extract Allergy IL-4 IFNγ
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1.
Ghafourian Boroujerdnia M, Azemi ME, Hemmati AA, Taghian A, Azadmehr A. Immunomodulatory Effects of Astragalus gypsicolus Hydroalcoholic Extract in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Mice Model. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1;10(4):281-288.