Abstract:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, which is characterized by infiltration of inflammatory
cells, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway remodeling. This study aimed to explore the role and
mechanism of tannic acid (TA), a naturally occurring plant-derived polyphenol, in murine asthma model. BALB/c
mice were given ovalbumin (OVA) to establish an allergic asthma model. The results revealed that TA treatment
significantly decreased OVA-induced AHR, inflammatory cells infiltration, and the expression of various inflammatory
mediators (Th2 and Th1 cytokines, eotaxin, and total IgE). Additionally, TA treatment also attenuated
increases in mucins (Muc5ac and Muc5b) expression, mucus production in airway goblet cells, mast cells
infiltration, and airway remodeling induced by OVA exposure. Furthermore, OVA-induced NF-κB (nuclear factorkappa B) activation and cell adhesion molecules expression in the lungs was suppressed by TA treatment. In conclusion, TA effectively attenuated AHR, inflammatory response, and airway remodeling in OVA-challenged asthmatic mice. Therefore, TA may be a potential therapeutic option against allergic asthma in clinical settings.
