Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin on Immune Dysregulation in Comorbid Diabetic Asthma in Mice
Nutakki Ravikumar*
and Chilaka Naga KavithaDepartment of Pharmacology, GITAM Institute of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, India, 530045
Corresponding Author E-mail : nutakkiravi@yahoo.com
Abstract: Immune dysregulation arbitrated through inequity of T helper sub-types is linked in both type 1 diabetes and asthma inductions. The imbalance of T helper sub-types leads to unbalance of immune cytokines in these conditions. Re-establishing of immune balance, in other words, re-balance of all arms of immune system is crucial in treating comorbid conditions associated with type 1 diabetes and asthma. Curcumin’s role on dysregulated immune function in these comorbid conditions is not evident. This study was focused to reveal the immune modulatory effect of curcumin in comorbid diabetic asthma mice. Male Balb/c mice were made type 1 diabetic by intravenous injection of 80 mg/kg alloxan on day 0. The mice were sensitized twice on day 3 and 8 with intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin emulsion (50 µg ovalbumin blended with 2.5 mg alum/sensitization). Allergic asthma was induced by daily intranasal challenge of ovalbumin (100 µg ovalbumin/25 µl of sterile saline) on days 13-15. Oral curcumin treatment (100 & 200 mg/kg) was given each day from day 3 to day 15. Nasal hyperresponsiveness was recorded on day 16 soon after the intranasal ovalbumin challenge. Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lungs were collected 1 h after recording of nasal hyperresponsiveness for further analysis. Curcumin treated mice showed significantly less numbers of eosinophils, interleukin-4 levels with high interferon-gamma to interleukin-4 ratio in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. In addition, curcumin condensed allergic airway inflammation by obstructing the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the metaplasia of mucus cells. Furthermore, curcumin 200 mg/kg reduced blood glucose levels in these mice. In conclusion, curcumin alleviated allergic asthma by modulating immune dysfunction along with glucose reducing property in comorbid mice.
Keywords: Curcumin; Diabetic Asthma; Eosinophils; Immune Dysfunction; Ovalbumin; T Helper Cells Back to TOC