Anti-allergic Effect of Thymus serpyllum on Ova Albumin-Induced Asthma in Syrian Hamsters

Author(s)

Abdilhafiz, H. T., Omar, M. B., Jaradat, N. A., Basha, W. S.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine even before recorded history. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing inflammatory and other diseases. This focuses the attention on the possibility of the presence of anti-allergic compounds in the extracts of some plants that may help control common allergic diseases including asthma. To test the possible anti-allergic and prophylactic effects of the aqueous extract of Thymus serpyllum L. (Ts) on ovalbumin-induced asthma clinical and hematological parameters in Syrian hamster models. The antigen-induced asthmatic response and subsequent airways reactivity have been associated with increased airways inflammation. Employing animal models of ovalbumin-induced asthma in Syrian hamsters previously developed in our laboratory, 3 phases of experiment (sensitization, challenging and treatment) were performed to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Thymus serpyllum on asthma clinical manifestations and white blood cells count and differential. Thymus serpyllum showed significant effect in improving nasal symptoms (p< 0.001) by affecting inflammatory white blood cells count and differential. There was a significant decrease in eosinophils level (p< 0.001) which is a potent inflammatory cell in asthma development. Moreover, Ts effect extended to be also prophylactic as the significant decrease in symptoms in pre-treated group showed. In regard to histamine, it was found that Ts effect is not significant in improving asthma clinically and at white blood cells level; p< 0.001 compared with control group.

Keywords

Thymus Serpyllum, Therapy, Asthma, Allergy

Cite This Article

Abdilhafiz, H. T., Omar, M. B., Jaradat, N. A., & Basha, W. S. (2014). Anti-allergic Effect of Thymus serpyllum on Ova Albumin-Induced Asthma in Syrian Hamsters. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 3(3), 322-332.