Pharmacodynamic evaluation of dihydroxyflavone derivate chrysin in a guinea pig model of allergic asthma

Abstract

Objective This experimental study evaluated the anti-asthmatic capacity of the dihydroxyflavone chrysin in the settings of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation. Methods The parameters that were used to assess the anti-asthmatic activity of chrysin included the specific airway resistance to histamine, the sensitivity to a chemically induced cough and the activity of chrysin on the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of the respiratory epithelium. The anti-inflammatory potential was confirmed by the measurement of cytokine concentrations Th2 (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), Th1 (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], INF-γ and IL-12), leucocyte count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and growth factor TBF-β1 in lung homogenate. Key findings Chronic administration of chrysin (30 mg/kg/day for 21 days) to OVA-sensitised guinea pigs showed bronchodilatory activity comparable to that of long-acting β 2 receptors agonist (LABA) salmeterol. Chrysin revealed antitussive efficiency but was not able to abolish the negative effect of OVA on CBF. Chrysin managed to ameliorate the progression of chronic airway inflammation by decreasing the count of eosinophils, lymphocytes and basophils, IL-5, L-13, GM-CSF, INF-γ in BALF, and TGF-β1 in lung homogenate. Conclusions The acquired results support the complex anti-asthmatic profile of chrysin. The flavone may represent an attractive compound for further studies concerning the prevention or treatment of asthma.

Therapeutic Potential of Controlled Delivery Systems in Asthma: Preclinical Development of Flavonoid-Based Treatments

“…If this is the case, fast-releasing formulations could be used for inhalation and intranasal administration. Evidence indicates some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, chrysin, hispidulin, catechin, chrysoeriol, and isoliquiritigenin) reduce bronchoconstriction [ 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 ]. All these possible controlled drug release systems should present biocompatibility with the route of administration and can be designed to have a faster or slower release depending on the flavonoid biological mechanism of action in asthma.…”