Datura metel linn ameliorates asthma symptoms in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Context: Datura has been recognized as viable alternate options to ameliorate asthma symptoms. Atropine contained in Datura is believed to be anti-asthmatic agent with its capacity to eliminate the spasms that cause asthma attacks. In Indonesian traditional medicine, the leaves of Datura are generally smoked either in cigarette or a pipe, and most asthma patients get benefit to relieve this disease.

Objective: The potentiality of Datura metel was tested to control immune response and ameliorate the disease in mouse models of asthma.

Materials and Methods: Mice were sensitized by twice intraperitoneal (i.p) injection with 10?g ovalbumin (OVA), then exposed to 1% aerosolized OVA with nebulizer system. Mice then were orally treated by aqueous extract of D. metel L for 5 days with a dose of 0.56 mg/kg body weight (BW) or 1.12 mg/kg BW.

Results: The number of naïve CD4⁺ T cells (CD4⁺CD62L⁺) increased in mouse model of asthma treated with D. Metel L. In contrast, the number of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells decreased in mouse model of asthma after treatment. Dose variations in this experiment had no significant effect (p < 0.05), and the optimum dose to reduce bronchioles thickness was 0.56 mg/kg BW.

Conclusion: D. metel L. has a potential to ameliorate asthma symptom by promoting naïve T cell development and reducing activated T cells.

J. bio-sci. 22: 01-8, 2014