ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of imperatorin (IMP) in the asthmatic mice model, and study whether its mechanism is related to Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Methods A total of 50 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, namely the control group, the OVA asthma model group, and the IMP low, medium and high dose treatment groups (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg). HE, Masson, and PAS staining were used to observe lung histopathological changes in mice; ELISA was used to detect the contents of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ, and IgE in the BALF of mice; DHR-123 was used to detect the content of ROS in the mice BALF; The expression levels of protein carbonyl and MDA in lung tissues of mice were measured; The anti-oxidant enzyme kit was used to detect SOD, GSH, and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in BALF; immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in lung tissues; The contents of Nrf2 and HO-1 in lung tissues were quantitatively analyzed by Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, IMP reduced the exudation of inflammatory cells, the proliferation of goblet cells, and collagen deposition; IMP reduced the expression of ROS, total IgE, and OVA specific IgE in BALF; IMP decreased the contents of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, protein carbonyl, and MDA, and increased the content of IFN-γ, SOD, GSH, and TAOC; The results of immunohistochemistry indicated that IMP increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in lung tissues; Western blotting showed that IMP induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and the expression of HO-1 at the protein level. Conclusion IMP plays a therapeutic role in asthmatic mice induced by OVA, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.