Flavokawain mitigates ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory markers: In-vitro and in-vivo models

Background: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory ailment, which has major communal health implications for both adults and children worldwide. Flavokawain is a chalcones present in kawa plant extracts. They have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and other activities. Methods: In the present investigation, the potential of flavokawain on the IL-4-induced 16HBE cell line and the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model was analyzed. Results: The findings revealed that the IL-4-induced 16HBE cell line treated with flavokawain reduced cell apoptosis and increased cell proliferation. The NLRP3 inflammasome activity was suppressed by flavokawain. The level of immune cells was increased in the asthmatic mice, which was effectively reduced by the treatment with flavokawain. IgE, eotaxin, TNF-α and TXB levels were decreased by the flavokawain treatment in the asthmatic mice. Imbalances in Th1 and Th2 cytokines were effectively modulated by the flavokawain treatment in the asthmatic mice. The balance between the Th1 cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-γ) and the Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13) was maintained by flavokawain. The histopathology study of lungs revealed that the thickness of the airway membrane and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced by the flavokawain, which indicates the decrease in inflammation. Conclusion: These findings recommend that flavokawain can be used as a potent candidate to treat asthma in the future.