Rosmarinic acid improves tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness and lung pathological changes in ovalbumin-sensitized rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rosmarinic acid on tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness and lung pathological changes in ovalbumin-sensitized rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the asthmatic group, and the asthmatic groups treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg; oral gavage) or three doses of rosmarinic acid (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg; oral gavage). For induction of asthma, rats received intraperitoneal injections and inhalation of ovalbumin. After 21 days, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung samples were collected for histopathological analyses. Moreover, total and differential white blood cell counts were determined. Results: The rosmarinic acid-treated group had significantly lower tracheal smooth muscle responses to methacholine than the asthmatic group. In addition, rosmarinic acid reduced white blood cell count and the percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, and neutrophils while increasing the percentage of lymphocytes. Ovalbumin-induced lung pathological changes were significantly improved by treatment with rosmarinic acid. Conclusions: Rosmarinic acid improves tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness and lung pathological changes in ovalbumin-sensitized rats.

Keywords

Rosmarinic acid / Asthma / Ovalbumin / Tracheal responsiveness / Inflammation / White blood cell

Acknowledgments

The authors thank MS Lotfi, a pathological expert for her advice in preparation of pathological samples.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

The authors received no extramural funding for the study.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Authors’ contributions

VA conducted the experiments and obtained the data. DEE, MF, and SO helped to the study design and edited the manuscript. MRK designed and supervised the study, analyzed the data and prepared the manuscript. All authors are responsible for the design and evaluation of the study, read and approved the final manuscript.

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