Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Myrtenol, the active ingredient of Myrtle on the oxidant and anti-oxidant indices and cytokines in the allergic asthma. Allergic asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and inhalation in four groups of rats; Control, Asthma, Asthma + Dexamethasone and Asthma + Myrtenol. Myrtenol (50mg/kg) or Dexamethasone (2.5mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days after OVA inhalation. At the end, histopathological parameters, and interleukins (Interleukin-10 (IL10), Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) , interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α)), and oxidative stress biomarkers, Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the lung and serum were measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining and ELISA method, respectively. Myrtenol reduced the pathological changes in the lungs and airway endothelium (P < 0.01), (P < 0.5). The level of IL-1β (P < 0.05) and MDA in the serum and lung tissue (P < 0.01), (P < 0.05), and also the level of TNF-α (P < 0.05) in the lung tissue decreased in the Myrtenol group compared to the asthma group. Myrtenol increased the level of IL-10 (P < 0.05) and the activity of GPX in the lung tissue and serum (P < 0.001). Myrtenol may improve asthma by increasing the ratio of antioxidants to oxidants and reducing the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory interleukins in the lung. Myrtenol is presented as a potent herbal medicine ingredient for the treatment of asthma.