Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Culture Extract (Cs-4) on Rodent Models of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common chronic allergic diseases of the respiratory tract, which are accompanied by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation and the involvement of type 2 T helper cells, mast cells, and eosinophils. Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc is a fungal parasite on the larva of Lepidoptera. It has been considered to be a health-promoting food and, also, one of the best-known herbal remedies for the treatment of airway diseases, such as asthma and lung inflammation. In the present study, we demonstrated the antiallergic rhinitis effect of Cs-4, a water extract prepared from the mycelium culture of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk) Sacc, on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in mice and the anti-asthmatic effect of Cs-4 in a rat model of asthma. Treatment with Cs-4 suppressed the nasal symptoms induced in OVA-sensitized and challenged mice. The inhibition was associated with a reduction in IgE/OVA-IgE and interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 levels in the nasal fluid. Cs-4 treatment also decreased airway responsiveness and ameliorated the scratching behavior in capsaicin-challenged rats. It also reduced plasma IgE levels, as well as IgE and eosinophil peroxidase levels, in the bronchoalveolar fluid. Cs-4 treatment completely suppressed the increases in IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in rat lung tissue. In conclusion, our results suggest that Cs-4 has the potential to alleviate immune hypersensitivity reactions in allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Keywords: Cordyceps; allergic rhinitis; anti-inflammatory effect; asthma.

Figure 1

The effect of Cs-4 on the nasal symptoms of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged mice. Nasal symptoms of (a) nose rubbing and (b) sneezing were observed. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 5. * Significantly different from the non-OVA control group. # Significantly different from the OVA-sensitized and challenged control group. DEX: dexamethasone.

Figure 2

The effect of Cs-4 on (a) the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and (b) OVA-specific IgE in the lavage nasal fluid (NFL) of OVA-sensitized and challenged mice. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 5. * Significantly different from the non-OVA control group. # Significantly different from the OVA-sensitized and challenged control group.

Figure 3

The effect of Cs-4 on (a) the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and (b) IL-13 in the NLF of OVA-sensitized and challenged mice. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 5. * Significantly different from the non-OVA control group. # Significantly different from the OVA-sensitized and challenged control group.

Figure 4

The effects of Cs-4 on the C48/80-activated β-hexosaminidase release in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) in vitro. Each bar represents the mean ± SD, with n = 6. * Significantly different from the control group. # Significantly different from the C48/80 non-Cs-4-incubated control group.

Figure 5

The effects of Cs-4 on the C48/80-activated histamine release in rat RPMC in vitro. Each bar represents the mean ± SD, with n = 6. * Significantly different from the control group. # Significantly different from the C48/80 non-Cs-4-incubated control group.

Figure 6

Representative images of the tracheal or bronchial rings taken before (initial) and after 1-μM methacholine (Mch) was added.

Figure 7

The effect of Cs-4 on the scratching behavior of capsaicin-challenged rats. The rat model of asthma was established, and scratching behavior was scored as described in the Materials and Methods. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 8. * Significantly different from the noncapsaicin control group. # Significantly different from the capsaicin control group.

Figure 8

The effect of Cs-4 on the plasma IgE levels in capsaicin-challenged rats. Data were expressed as the control percent of noncapsaicin rats, with the control value being 16.9 ± 0.47 ng/mL. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 8. * Significantly different from the noncapsaicin control group. # Significantly different from the capsaicin control group.

Figure 9

The effect of Cs-4 on the (a) IgE level and (b) eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) level in the bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid of capsaicin-challenged rats. Data were expressed as the control percent of noncapsaicin rats, with the control value being (a) 13.3 ± 0.58 ng/mL IgE and (b) 0.600 ± 0.034 ng/mL EPO. Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 8. * Significantly different from the noncapsaicin control group. # Significantly different from the capsaicin control group.

Figure 10

The effect of Cs-4 on various cytokine levels in the lung tissues of capsaicin-challenged rats. Data were expressed as the control percent of noncapsaicin rats, with the control values being (a) 367.6 ± 15.9 pg/mL (interleukin (IL)-4), (b) 368.1 ± 9.22 (IL-5), (c) 18.7 ± 0.67 pg/mL (IL-13), (d) 354.8 ± 7.39 pg/mL (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), and (e) 745.6 ± 10.37 (interferon (IFN)-γ). Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 8. * Significantly different from the noncapsaicin control group. # Significantly different from the capsaicin control group.

Figure 10

The effect of Cs-4 on various cytokine levels in the lung tissues of capsaicin-challenged rats. Data were expressed as the control percent of noncapsaicin rats, with the control values being (a) 367.6 ± 15.9 pg/mL (interleukin (IL)-4), (b) 368.1 ± 9.22 (IL-5), (c) 18.7 ± 0.67 pg/mL (IL-13), (d) 354.8 ± 7.39 pg/mL (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), and (e) 745.6 ± 10.37 (interferon (IFN)-γ). Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M., with n = 8. * Significantly different from the noncapsaicin control group. # Significantly different from the capsaicin control group.