Methylene blue attenuates ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation and oxidative stress in mouse model of asthma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes lung dysfunction and inflammatory cell infiltration. Methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazinium, is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It has been proposed as a treatment for numerous illnesses, but its asthma treatment efficacy remains untested. The study examined the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of MB on asthma. METHODS: A total of 32 female BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly assigned to four equal groups: control, OVA (model), MB (10 mg/kg), and MB (20 mg/kg). Mice received 25 µg OVA and 2 mg Al(OH)gel intraperitoneally to develop asthma on days 0 and 7. After receiving the medication, all mouse groups except the control inhaled 5% OVA vaporized in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for 60 min on days 14-16. From days 11 to 16, the treatment groups received intraperitoneal MB at 10 and 20 mg/kg. On day 17, mice were anesthetized, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples were collected to assess leukocyte infiltration, histological alterations, oxidative stress, and T helper type 2 (Th2)-associated cytokines like IL-4, IL-13, and immunoglobulin E. RESULTS: MB significantly reduced histopathological alterations, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidant levels by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The dose-dependent reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and OVA-specific IgE was considerable. This study represents the inaugural examination of MB's immunomodulatory effects on allergic asthma in murine models. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that MB may serve as an anti-asthmatic agent by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, representing a promising therapeutic approach for allergic asthma.