Oxidative stress can induce lung damage and aggravate airway inflammation in asthma. Previously, we reported that rosmarinic acid (RA) exerted strong anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse allergic asthma model. Therefore, we hypothesized that RA might also have antioxidative effects in a superimposed asthma mouse model with oxidative lung damage challenged with ovalbumin (Ova) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We evaluated the antioxidative and anti-asthmatic activity of RA and explored its possible mechanisms of action. Mice sensitized to Ova and challenged with Ova and H₂O₂ were treated with RA 1 h after challenge. RA treatment greatly diminished the number of inflammatory cells; decreased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production; increased IFN-γ secretion; significantly downregulated ROS production; and markedly upregulated the activities of SOD, GPx, and CAT. Furthermore, RA treatment resulted in a significant increase in the expression of Cu/Zn SOD and a notable reduction in NOX-2 and NOX-4 expression in lung tissues. These findings suggest that RA may effectively alleviate oxidative lung damage and airway inflammation in asthma.

氧化应激可诱发肺损伤并加剧哮喘中的气道炎症。以前，我们报道迷迭香酸（RA）在小鼠过敏性哮喘模型中发挥了强大的抗炎作用。因此，我们假设RA在卵白蛋白（Ova）和过氧化氢（H ₂ O ₂）挑战的氧化性肺损伤叠加哮喘小鼠模型中也可能具有抗氧化作用。我们评估了RA的抗氧化和抗哮喘活性，并探讨了其可能的作用机制。对Ova致敏并用Ova和H ₂ O ₂攻击的小鼠攻击后1小时接受RA治疗。RA治疗大大减少了炎症细胞的数量；IL-4，IL-5和IL-13产量降低；IFN-γ分泌增加；ROS产量显着下调；并显着上调了SOD，GPx和CAT的活动。此外，RA治疗导致肺组织中Cu / Zn SOD的表达显着增加，NOX-2和NOX-4的表达显着降低。这些发现表明，RA可以有效减轻哮喘中氧化性肺损伤和气道炎症。