RESUMEN
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Allium cepa [A. cepa] on levels of oxidants, antioxidants, and immunological markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids [BALF] of sensitized rats
Materials and Methods: Oxidant/antioxidant markers and cytokines in BALF of control rats treated with saline [group C], ovalbumin-sensitized rats [group S], rats treated with 1.25 Mug/mL dexamethasone and 3 doses of A. cepa extract [35, 70, and 140 mg/kg body weight [BW]/day] [S + AC] were investigated. Comparison of the results between groups was performed using analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer post hoc test
Results: The oxidant markers nitrogen dioxide [NO[2], nitrate [NO[3-]], and malondialdehyde [MDA], and immunological markers interleukin [IL]-4 and immunoglobulin E [IgE] were significantly higher, but the antioxidant markers superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], thiol, and interferon [IFN]-Gamma, and the IFN-Gamma/IL-4 ratio were lower in sensitized rats compared to control rats [p < 0.001 to p < 0.01]. Compared to group S, the levels of the following markers were significantly lower: NO[2], NO[3-], and IgE in groups treated with the A. cepa extract, MDA and IL-4 levels in groups treated with 70 and 140 mg/kg BW/day of the A. cepa extract, and all these markers as well as IFN-Gamma in rats treated with dexamethasone [p < 0.001 to p < 0.05]. However, there were significantly higher levels of SOD and CAT and an increased IFN-Gamma/IL-4 ratio [groups treated with 70 and 140 mg/kg BW/day of the A. cepa extract], and levels of thiol and IFN-Gamma [group treated with 140 mg/kg BW/day of the A. cepa extract] as well as SOD, CAT, and thiol [dexamethasone-treated group] versus group S [p < 0.00 to p < 0.05]
Conclusion: A. cepa showed antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties in sensitized rats