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 100μg/mL significantly, dose dependently attenuated the production of nitric oxide and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in RAW264.7 cells. The AEx (100 or 300mg/kg/day) also inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α 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.