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Curative effects of shikonin on allergic rhinitis in rats and the related mechanism

Ming Wang, Gang Liu, Haiyan Li

This study aimed to investigate the curative effects of shikonin on Allergic Rhinitis (AR) in rats and explore the related mechanism. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and low-, medium- and high-dose shikonin group, 10 rats in each group. In the later 4 groups, the AR model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin suspension. In addition, the rats in low-, medium- and high-dose shikonin group received the intraperitoneal injection of shikonin with dose of 200, 400 and 600 μg/kg, respectively. On the 2, 4 and 6 d of experiment, the animal behavior score was measured. On the last day, the peripheral blood was taken, and the serum Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and OVA-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined using ELISA. The bilateral nasal mucosa tissues were taken. The Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in nasal mucosa tissue were determined, and the expression levels of T-bet and GATA-3 protein were detected. Results showed that, compared with model group, the AR features of rats in shikonin group was mitigated, the serum OVA-specific IgE and IL-4 level were decreased, and the serum IFN-γ level was increased. Compared with model group, the SOD and GSH-Px levels in nasal mucosa tissue in shikonin group was increased, and the MDA level was decreased. Compared with model group, the expression level of T-bet protein in nasal mucosa tissue in shikonin group was increased, and the GATA-3 expression level was decreased. In conclusion, shikonin can mitigate the AR in rats, which may be related to its anti-oxidative stress effects and regulation of T-bet and GATA-3 protein expression in nasal mucosa tissue.