RETRACTED: Ponicidin treatment attenuates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice and RBL-2H3 cell line models

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the chronic type of rhinitis that arises due to hypersensitivity response. It is caused by nasal mucosa inflammation and becomes a social burden in later stages. Ponicidin is a diterpenoid that is isolated from herbs like Rabdosia rubescens and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the present study was designed to analyze the effects of Ponicidin against AR using ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized murine model and also to reveal the mode of action of Ponicidin. Mice were sensitized with 75 mu g of OVA with 2 mg of aluminium hydroxide in 200 mu l of buffer for 0, 7, 14, 21 days to provoke the AR. Ponicidin treatment was given in the diet at different doses (5, 10, 15 mg/kg). The nose-rubbing numbers were noted carefully. The levels of histamine, inflammatory cytokines, and NF-kappa B DNA binding assay were assessed by the assay kits. The inflammatory cell counts were performed using hemocytometer. The lung tissues were analysed microscopically to identify the histological changes. The viability of control and treated RBL-2H3 cells were analyzed by MTT assay. The beta-hexosaminidase activity was assayed using kit. Results showed that Ponicidin significantly attenuated nasal rubbing in OVA-induced AR mice by suppressing histamine release, inflammatory cell numbers and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The effect of the Ponicidin was comparable to that of the standard drug dexamethasone. In RBL-2H3 cells also, Ponicidin decreased secretion of histamine and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, it can be inferred that Ponicidin can emerge as an effective drug in the management of AR.