# Aurantio‐Obtusin Suppresses Airway Inflammation and Serum ICAM‐1 Expression in Guinea Pig Allergic Asthma Model

## TL;DR

A compound from Cassia seeds reduces inflammation and immune markers in a guinea pig model of allergic asthma.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates aurantio-obtusin's anti-inflammatory effects in allergen-induced asthma for the first time.

## Key findings

- Aurantio-obtusin reduced OVA-specific IgE and ICAM-1 levels in serum.
- It suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in bronchial lavage.
- Histological analysis showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in lungs.

## Abstract

Aurantio‐obtusin is a trihydroxyanthraquinone found in the seeds of Cassia tora and Cassia obtusifolia. Its neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐allergic, and antioxidant potential has been documented in multiple studies. While previous reports mention its potential as an antiasthma agent, its effects on allergen‐induced airway inflammation have not been explored.

Our study reports on the mechanisms by which aurantio‐obtusin exerts its effects on underlying inflammation in experimentally‐induced allergic asthma. The effect of aurantio‐obtusin pretreatment on molecular and histological changes in guinea pig lungs when challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin was assessed.

Our results showed that aurantio‐obtusin significantly reduced ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced increase in serum OVA‐specific immunoglobulin E (OVA‐sIgE) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1. Aurantio‐obtusin further suppressed inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐8, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin) as well as malondialdehyde, a product of oxidative stress in bronchial lavage. The histopathological assessment showed a reduced transit of inflammatory cells and reduced deposition of collagen in the lungs of aurantio‐obtusin‐treated guinea pigs.

Overall, the data suggests that aurantio‐obtusin mitigated ovalbumin‐induced airway inflammation by impeding the production of OVAsIgE and suppressing levels of key pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest that aurantio‐obtusin has potential benefits in the management of allergic airway inflammation in type 2 asthma.

Aurantio‐obtusin mitigated ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma by impeding the production of OVAsIgE and suppressing the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. These findings support the therapeutic potential of aurantio‐obtusin for the management of asthma and other airway inflammatory disorders.