Biomedical Research

This study aimed to investigate the curative effects of shikonin on Allergic Rhinitis (AR) in rats and explore the related mechanism. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and low-, medium- and high-dose shikonin group, 10 rats in each group. In the later 4 groups, the AR model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin suspension. In addition, the rats in low-, medium- and high-dose shikonin group received the intraperitoneal injection of shikonin with dose of 200, 400 and 600 μg/kg, respectively. On the 2, 4 and 6 d of experiment, the animal behavior score was measured. On the last day, the peripheral blood was taken, and the serum Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and OVA-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined using ELISA. The bilateral nasal mucosa tissues were taken. The Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in nasal mucosa tissue were determined, and the expression levels of T-bet and GATA-3 protein were detected. Results showed that, compared with model group, the AR features of rats in shikonin group was mitigated, the serum OVA-specific IgE and IL-4 level were decreased, and the serum IFN-γ level was increased. Compared with model group, the SOD and GSH-Px levels in nasal mucosa tissue in shikonin group was increased, and the MDA level was decreased. Compared with model group, the expression level of T-bet protein in nasal mucosa tissue in shikonin group was increased, and the GATA-3 expression level was decreased. In conclusion, shikonin can mitigate the AR in rats, which may be related to its anti-oxidative stress effects and regulation of T-bet and GATA-3 protein expression in nasal mucosa tissue.

Author(s): Ming Wang, Gang Liu, Haiyan Li
Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this