The ameliorative effect of AST2017-01 in an ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis animal model.

AST2017-01 is developed to be used for treatment and prevention of allergic diseases and composed of processed-Cordyceps militaris and processed-Rumex crispus. But, effect of AST2017-01 remains unclear in an allergic rhinitis (AR). So, this study aimed to explore the effects of AST2017-01 in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR animal model. OVA-induced AR animals were orally administered AST2017-01 and chrysophanol, an active component of AST2017-01 for 10 days. In mice with AR, AST2017-01 and chrysophanol markedly decreased number of rubs, IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in serum or nasal mucosa tissues. Moreover, activities and protein levels of caspase-1 were markedly diminished by oral administration of AST2017-01 and chrysophanol. Declines of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, intercellular adhesion molecules-1, eosinophil, and mast cells were also noted in nasal mucosa tissues of AST2017-01 and chrysophanol groups. Taken together, these findings indicate that AST2017-01 has an anti-allergic effect as a therapeutic agent or functional food for treating and preventing AR.