Apigenin inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation and switches immune response in a murine model of asthma

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2010 Sep;32(3):364-70. doi: 10.3109/08923970903420566.

Abstract

Many flavonoids were demonstrated to possess the antiallergic effect. Here we detected whether apigenin, a flavonoid, can attenuate allergen-induced airway inflammation and what is the possible mechanism in a murine model of asthma. Apigenin decreased the degree of the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness, and total immunoglobulin E levels compared with the ovalbumin group. In addition, apigenin triggered the switching of the immune response to allergens toward a T-helper type 1 (Th1) profile. Our data clearly demonstrated that apigenin exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity in a murine asthma model, and can switch the immune response to allergens toward the Th1 profile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apigenin / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / drug therapy
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin E / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects
  • Th1 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Apigenin