Comparison of Berberine and Dexamethasone on Blood and Bronchial Inflammatory Cells of Ovalbumin Sensitized Guinea Pigs

Objective: To compare the anti-inflammatory effects of berberine and dexamethasone in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs. Methods: This experimental controlled study was conducted in April, 2016 at Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Twenty- four healthy guinea pigs were selected for study. Six of these were assigned randomly in each group; normal control, ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized, berberine treated and dexamethasone treated groups. Airway inflammation was induced on day 0 and 14 by OVA injections via peritoneal route and by inhalation on 25th, 26th and 27th day in each group excluding the normal control. Berberine (1.8 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (20 mg/kg) were introduced via peritoneal route 30 minutes earlier to each trial in berberine treated and dexamethasone treated groups respectively. Results: Total leukocyte count (TLC) in blood sample of berberine treated group (9990±1346 mm3) and dexamethasone treated group (9054±1432 mm3) was significantly low than OVA sensitized group (14261±3151 mm3). TLC of broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in berberine treated group (384±26 mm3) and dexamethasone treated group (306±86) mm3 was significantly low than OVA sensitized group (598±110 mm3). Eosinophil percentage in blood of berberine treated (21.50±3.08) and dexamethasone treated (13.33±5.65) groups were significantly low than OVA sensitized group (30.33±6.74), while eosinophil percentage in BAL fluid was 26.00±6.69 and 21.00±7.46 in berberine treated and dexamethasone treated groups respectively with significant difference from OVA sensitized group value of 40.00±7.79. Conclusion: Berberine and dexamethasone both had reduced TLC and eosinophil percentage in both blood and BAL fluid as compared to OVA sensitized group but berberine is less effective than dexamethasone. Keywords: berberine, dexamethasone, asthma, airway inflammation How to cite: Zaidi T.S., Kausar R., Malik M., Sarfraz J., Shafiq A., Chiragh S. Comparison of berberine and dexamethasone on blood and bronchial inflammatory cells of ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs. Esculapio 202;17(01):34-38