Abstract
The effects of Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea; PO) on total and differential WBC count, and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as on lung pathology in asthmatic rats were examined. Rats were randomly divided into; control group (C), asthma group, asthma groups treated with either P. oleracea (rats that received PO 1, 2 and 4 mg/mL) or dexamethasone 1.25 μg/mL (D), (n = 8 in each group). Total and differential white blood cells (WBC) count, nitrite (NO(2)), nitrate (NO(3)), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and thiol levels in rats BALF were evaluated and lung pathological features were studied. Total WBC count, eosinophil, neutrophil and monocyte percentages, levels of NO(2), NO(3), MDA in the BALF and most pathological scores in the lung were increased but lymphocyte percentage, SOD, CAT and thiol levels were decreased in the BALF of asthmatic animals (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Treatment with P. oleracea significantly reduced total WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte, NO(2), and NO(3), MDA, interstitial fibrosis, emphysema, interstitial inflammation and epithelial damage, but increased lymphocyte, SOD, CAT and thiol levels compared to asthma group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Dexamethasone-treated rats also showed significant improvements in most parameters compared to asthma group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Our results demonstrated the ameliorative effects of P. oleracea on total and differential WBC count and oxidant-antioxidant biomarkers levels in BALF as well as lung pathological features in asthmatic rats, which propose the usage of this extract as a preventive anti-inflammatory treatment against asthma.