The protective effects of Lavandula Stoechas L. hydroalcoholic extract on blood cells in ovalbumin-induced acute asthma in BALB/c mice

Background and Aims: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, and its prevalence has been rapidly increasing worldwide over the past few decades. This research investigated the protective properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of Lavandula stoechas (L. stoechas) on blood cells through intraperitoneal and intranasal administration of ovalbumin in an asthma model in mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups (n=10): the control group, the ovalbumin-model mice treated with the solvent drug, and the ovalbumin-model mice treated with 200 mg/kg L. stoechas extract. To induce severe asthma model, 75µg ovalbumin and 2 mg aluminum hydroxide solution in saline phosphate buffer were administered intra-peritoneal into the mice (once a day), additionally, 50µg ovalbumin was injected intra-nasally into the same group of mice (once a day). Finally, the group that induced asthma in mice was treated with 200 mg/kg L. stoechas extract. Additionally, 50µg ovalbumin was injected intra-nasally into the same group of mice (once a day). Finally, 200 mg/kg of L. stoechas extract was administered to the treated group of mice by oral gavage. Subsequently, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to count neutrophil, basophil and eosinophil cells, and lung tissue was harvested to assess the lung’s morphology and the degree of scored tissue damage desired factors in the study groups. Results: Mice in the L. stoechas extract treatment group exhibited a significant reduction in pulmonary edema and histological changes (P˂0.05) and infiltration of inflammatory cells (P˂0.05) compared to the ovalbumin-model group. Conclusion: Overall, L. stoechas extract, due to its protective effects on blood cells and prevention of lung histological changes, may contribute to reducing the effects of acute asthma.