Inhibitory effect of Platycodi Radix on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by an associated increase in airway responsiveness. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of an aqueous extract from the root of Platycodi Radix (Changkil: CK) on airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma. Mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation to induce chronic airway inflammation and airway remodeling. CK markedly decreased the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and chemokines compared with those in the OVA-induced group. In addition, CK reduced OVA-specific IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Based on lung histopathological studies, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were inhibited by CK administration compared to that in the OVA-induced group. Lung weight was reduced after CK administration. Also, increased generation of ROS in BAL fluid, as well as NF-κB nuclear translocation, by inhalation of OVA was diminished by CK. Moreover, CK reduced the OVA-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteases activity. These findings indicate that oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma induced by OVA and that CK may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.