Scutellarin Ameliorated Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Experimental Mice through Potential Attenuation of the GATA3/ p-STAT6 Pathway

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an allergic ailment of the immune-inflammatory system affecting people's daily lives. Scutellarin (SCU) is known for its inhibitory potential against GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), an important mediator of AR. Aim: To determine the effect of SCU against AR induced by Ovalbumin (OVA) in the experimental animal. Materials and Methods: Mice (BALB/c strain) were induced with AR by sensitizing them with OVA (for consecutively 13 days) followed by the intranasal challenge (on day 21). They were simultaneously treated with either vehicle or montelukast (10 mg/kg) or SCU (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Results: Administration of SCU (100 and 200 mg/kg) markedly (P < 0.05) inhibited elevated nasal rubbing, sneezing, and nasal discharge, OVA-specific and, total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, IgG1 in serum, total and differential cell count, interleukins (ILs) levels in nasal lavage fluid. The up-regulated GATA3 and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6) expression of mRNA in the spleen were effectively (P < 0.05) reduced by SCU. Additionally, SCU effectively (P < 0.05) reduced OVA-induced alteration in nasal histopathology. Conclusion: SCU demonstrated an antiallergic effect against OVA-induced AR in experimental mice by inhibiting the GATA3/p-STAT6 pathway, thus improving the Th1/Th2 imbalance.