Apigenin Attenuates Allergic Responses of Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Through Modulation of Th1/Th2 Responses in Experimental Mice

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background:</jats:title><jats:p> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated immune-inflammatory response mainly affecting nasal mucosa. Apigenin, a flavonoid, has been documented to possess promising anti-allergic potential. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim:</jats:title><jats:p> To determine the potential mechanism of action of apigenin against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR by assessing various behavioral, biochemical, molecular, and ultrastructural modifications. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Materials and Methods:</jats:title><jats:p> Allergic rhinitis was induced in BALB/c mice (18-22 grams) by sensitizing it with OVA (5%, 500 μL, intraperitoneal [IP] on each consecutive day, for 13 days) followed by intranasal challenge with OVA (5%, 5 μL per nostril on day 21). Animals were treated with either vehicle (distilled water, 10 mg/kg, IP) or apigenin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, IP). </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> Intranasal challenge of OVA resulted in significant induction ( P < .05) of AR reflected by an increase in nasal symptoms (sneezing, rubbing, and discharge), which were ameliorated significantly ( P < .05) by apigenin (10 and 20 mg/kg) treatment. It also significantly inhibited ( P < .05) OVA-induced elevated serum histamine, OVA-specific IgE, total IgE, and IgG1 and β-hexosaminidase levels. Ovalbumin-induced increased levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and interferon (IFN)-γ in nasal lavage fluid were significantly decreased ( P < .05) by apigenin. Ovalbumin-induced alterations in splenic GATA binding protein 3 (ie, erythroid transcription factor) (GATA3), T-box protein expressed in T cells (T-bet), signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6), suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha messenger RNA, as well as protein expressions were significantly inhibited ( P < .05) by apigenin. It also significantly ameliorated ( P < .05) nasal and spleen histopathologic and ultrastructure aberration induced by OVA. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title><jats:p> Apigenin regulates Th1/Th2 balance via suppression in expressions of Th2 response (IgE, histamine, ILs, GATA3, STAT6, SOCS1, and NF-κB) and activation of Th1 response (IFN-γ and T-bet) to exert its anti-allergic potential in a murine model of OVA-induced AR. </jats:p></jats:sec>