Lentinus edodes Suppresses Allergen-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation by Downregulating Nuclear Factor-kappa B Activity in a Murine Model of Allergic Asthma / 체질인류학회지

ABSTRACT

Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to have profound health promoting benefits. Among them, Lentinus edodes is well-known to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether Lentinus edodes ethanol extract (LE) inhibit airway inflammatory response in a murine asthma model induced by exposure to ovalbumin (OVA). The pretreatment of LE substantially attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation in OVA-challenged mice. In addition, the increased levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), eotaxin, and adhesion molecules in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids at 48 h after OVA inhalation was significantly reduced by the administration of LE. Furthermore, LE suppressed OVA-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in lung tissues. Taken together, it is proposed that LE may serve as an effective therapeutic agent for allergic airway disease.