Anti-inflammatory Effect of Boswellia sacra (Franckincense) Essential Oil in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma
2008
Lee, H.Y. (Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea) | Yun, M.Y. (Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea) | Kang, S.M. (Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea), E-mail: kangsm@konkuk.ac.kr
Frankincense, the gum resin derived from Boswellia species, is complex mixtures composed of about 5~9% highly aromatic essential oil, 65~85% alcohol-soluble resins, and the remaining water-soluble gums. The anti-inflammatory properties of frankincense, alcohole-soluble resins, are well-recognized, but the question of whether aromatic essential oil also plays a role in the allergic asthma remains unanswered. This study was performed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia sacra essential oil (BSEO) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal OVA sensitization were challenged with intratracheal OVA. One experimental group was inhaled with 0.3% BSEO for the later 8 weeks. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA and developed airway eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In contrast, the BSEO treated mice had reduced a number of eosinophils among BALF cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Cytokine analysis of BALF revealed that BSEO caused an increase in Th1 cytokine (interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) and a decrease in Th2 cytokines (interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13) levels. In addition, the OVA-specific serum IgE and eotaxin levels were also reduced. In mice inhaled BSEO, CD4+, CD3+/CCR3+, and B220+/CD23+ mediastinal lymph nodes cells were also decreased. These results suggest that inhaled BSEO as a immunomodulator in Th1/Th2 mediated asthma may have therapeutic potential for the treatment in allergic airway inflammation by a simple, cost-effective way.
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