Seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) reduced inflammation, mucin synthesis, eosinophil infiltration and MMP-9 expressions in asthma-induced rats compared to Loratadine

The edible red seaweed Eucheuma cottonii is widely cultivated throughout most of the tropical seas. Asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide and is related to airway inflammation, smooth muscle hypertrophy, mucous hyperplasia and hyper-secretion, and airway constriction. The therapeutic mechanisms by which Eucheuma cottonii extract (SECE) reduced symptoms in experimental ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma animal model was compared to the FDA approved anti-histamine drug Loratadine. The extract significantly ameliorated nasal itching, sneezing, lung histopathology, immunohistochemistry and related genes changes. The SECE was anti-inflammatory and altered the circulating white blood cell levels. The SECE treatment decreased mucin synthesis, and downregulated the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kappa B), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expressions, but increased the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) expression. The lectins-rich extract (FTIR analysed) suppressed asthmatic inflammation, lung eosinophil infiltration, and mucin synthesis, and reduced the bronchiole smooth muscle thickness to facilitate airway flow. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.