Influence of Glycyrrhizic Acid upon Immune Function of Mice with Ovalbumin-induced Asthma

Abstract

The work explored the alleviating effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on asthma in mice and its influence on the immune function. Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into control, model, 20 mg/kg GA,
40 mg/kg GA, 80 mg/kg GA and dexamethasone groups with 8 mice in each group. The ovalbumin-induced
asthma model was established in latter five groups. During modeling, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg GA and 1 mg/kg
dexamethasone were given to the latter four groups, respectively. At the end of experiment, compared with
model group, in GA groups the asthma attack score was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgE levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the splenocyte T helper 1 (Th1) cell
proportion was obviously increased (p < 0.05), the T helper 2 (Th2) cell proportion was obviously decreased
(p < 0.05), the splenocyte supernatant interleukin 4 level was obviously decreased (p < 0.05), and the interferon γ level was obviously increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GA can regulate the Th1/Th2 immune imbalance
and reduce the IgG and IgE levels, thus relieving the asthma in mice