Mastic alleviates allergic inflammation in asthmatic model mice by inhibiting recruitment of eosinophils

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2011 Jul;45(1):95-100. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2010-0212OC. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of allergic asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, eosinophilia, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of mastic, obtained from the stem and the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus trees, on allergic asthma. In an ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model, mastic significantly inhibited eosinophilia, while reducing airway hyperresponsiveness and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) as well as chemokines (eotaxin, eotaxin2, and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, mastic potently inhibited eotaxin-induced eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro without influencing eotaxin receptor, chemokine receptor 3, expression. These results suggest that mastic may contribute to the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eosinophils / metabolism*
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Mastic Resin
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pistacia / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Plant Stems / chemistry*
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Resins, Plant / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Mastic Resin
  • Resins, Plant