Combination Therapy with Curcumin Alone Plus Piperine Ameliorates Ovalbumin-Induced Chronic Asthma in Mice

In this study, protective effects of curcumin alone and in combination with piperine were evaluated in mouse model of allergic asthma. Balb/c mice were sensitized on days 0, 7, and 14 and challenged from days 16 –30 on alternate days with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were pretreated with curcumin (Cur; 10 and 20 mg/kg) and piperine (Pip; 5 mg/kg) alone and in combinationvia the intraperitoneal route on days 16 –30 and compared with intranasal curcumin (5 mg/kg) treatment. Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lungs were collected after mice were sacrificed on day 31st. Mice immunized with OVA have shown significant increase in airway inflammation and oxidative stress as determined by oxidativ e stress markers. A significant suppression was observed with all the treatments, but intranasal curcumin treatment group has shown maximum suppression. So, among all the treatment strategies utilized, intranasal curcumin administration was most appropriate in reducing inflammation and oxidative str ess and possesses therapeutic potential against allergic asthma. Present study may prove the possibility of development of curcumin nasal drops towards treatment of allergic asthma.
Source: Inflammation - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research