Intranasal curcumin and dexamethasone combination ameliorates inflammasome (NLRP3) activation in lipopolysachharide exposed asthma exacerbations

The inflammasome NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, the pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is closely associated with exacerbation of asthma as endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is one of its activators present in the environment. Present study is undertaken to investigate anti-inflammatory effects of a well known phyto-chemical, curcumin, which might regulate LPS exposed asthma exacerbations by modulating NLRP3 activation if given through intranasal route. Balb/c mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection of OVA (Ovalbumin; 100 mu g of OVA with alum) from day 1 to 8 and exposed to LPS with 1% OVA aerosol from day 9 to 15. LPS (0.1 mu g) was given an hour before sensitization and OVA-aerosol challenge. Significant decrease in inflammatory cell recruitment and restoration of structural changes in lungs, alterations in mRNA and protein expressions of TLR-4, NF-kappa B, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1 beta, MMP-9, IL-5 and IL-17 in intranasal curcumin alone and corticosteroid com-bined pretreatment group.

Automated summary

This study found that intranasal administration of curcumin can reduce asthma exacerbations caused by endotoxin by modulating NLRP3 activation, and it also has anti-inflammatory effects.