ANTIASTHMA EFFECTS THROUGH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTION OF ACORN (QUERCUS ACUTISSIMA CARR.) IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Acorn-derived foods are commonly marketed in Korea, but their beneficial health effects have not been extensively explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic effects of an ethanol extract (AEx) from acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model mice. The AEx at concentrations less than 100 mu g/mL significantly, dose dependently attenuated the production of nitric oxide and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in RAW264.7 cells. The AEx (100 or 300 mg/kg/day) also inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-a and T-helper 2 (Th2) type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) in both the lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the OVA-induced asthma model mice. These results suggest that the AEx has suppressive effects on asthma through its anti-inflammatory action both in vitro and in vivo. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AEx may be useful for preventing inflammatory diseases, such as allergic asthma, and may thus be effectively used as a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient in health food or pharmaceuticals.