Betalain Alleviates Airway Inflammation in an Ovalbumin-Induced-Asthma Mouse Model via the TGF- β1/Smad Signaling Pathway

We examined the curative potential of betalain against allergic asthma in a mouse model. Betalain treatment effectively decreased lung weight and infiltration of inflammatory cells in BAL fluid, and lowered IgE, eotaxin, and cytokine levels in asthma-induced mice. It also improved pulmonary mechanics and decreased oxidative stress and nitric oxide levels. Betalain significantly decreased gene expression of TGF-β and its downstream signaling Smad proteins. Lung histology confirmed that betalain protected the lung tissue of mice from ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma. Overall, our results show that betalain is a potent antiallergic drug that effectively protects mice from ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma. With further research, it can be prescribed as a treatment for asthma in humans.PMID:33822513 | DOI:10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2021037050
Source: Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: research