Mesua ferrea L. (Calophyllaceae) exerts therapeutic effects in allergic asthma by modulating cytokines production in asthmatic rats

In the present study, ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea L. stamens was investigated for its potential to reverse some features of bronchial asthma in ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. Mesua ferrea commonly called nagakeshar (Family, Calophyllaceae) is a well-known antiallergic drug in the Asian folk system of medicines. In the present work, pharmacological studies are done to provide scientific evidence for therapeutic potential of plants in allergic asthma. Asthma was induced in experimental rats with allergen suspension of ovalbumin and aluminium hydroxide followed by treatment with dexamethasone (2.5 mg/Kg, p.o) or M. ferrea stamen extract (3.75 and 15 mg/Kg, b.w., p.o). Biomarkers of inflammatory response including cell counts, Immunoglobulin E, cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4,-5,-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, leukotriene (LT)-D-4, and nitrite concentration in blood as well as bronchial (BAL) fluid were tested. Lung functions in asthmatic and treated animals were evaluated as breathing rate and tidal volume. Treatment with M. ferrea stamen extract (MFE) markedly (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) diminished infiltration of inflammatory cells, IgE, cytokines, and nitrites in blood/serum and bronchial fluid. Improvement in lung functions (p < 0.05) of asthmatic animals after MFE treatment also supports our findings. Results of the study suggest a therapeutic potential of M. ferrea in allergic asthma that can be related to the ability of plants to attenuate the response of inflammatory cells and thereby, the production of inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines in airways.