Anti-Asthmatic Effects of Saffron Extract and Salbutamol in an Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Model of Allergic Asthma

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways often characterized by airway remodeling and influx cells into airways. Saffron (C. sativus) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic immunomodulatory properties. Salbutamol known relax smooth muscles. Objective: To investigate combined anti-asthmatic effect C. sativus extract (CSE) salbutamol in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma rats. Materials methods: Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was induced male Sprague-Dawley rats OVA challenge treated with CSE (30 mg/kg 60 i.p.) (0.5 p.o) for 28 days. After induction period, various hematological, biochemical, molecular (ELISA) histological analyses were performed. Results: OVA-induced alterations observed hematological parameters (total differential cell counts Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) significantly attenuated (p < 0.01) mg/kg) mg/kg). The treatment combination also decreased levels total protein albumin serum, BALF lung tissues. Treatment increase Th2 cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-13). Histopathological analysis tissue showed that ameliorated ultrastructural aberrations. Conclusion: results obtained from this study show exhibited properties via its anti-inflammatory alleviating mediated immune response. Thus, could be considered as new therapeutic strategy management asthma.