Figure 2. Effects of sesamin on OVA-induced expression of T_H2 cytokines in BALF.

Balb/c mice were treated with sesamin (SE, 1, 10, or 20 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) or vehicle (saline, i.p.) daily from the 24th to the 29th day after the first immunization of OVA. Expression levels of IL-4 (A), IL-5 (B), and IL-13 (C) in BALF were significantly higher in mice receiving OVA sensitization and challenge (n = 9) compared with mice receiving sham treatment (n = 5). In OVA-sensitized and challenged animals, BALF IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 levels were inhibited in mice treated with 10 or 20 mg/kg sesamin but not with 1 mg/kg sesamin, compared with mice treated with vehicles (n = 9 for each group). Each bar represents the mean ± S.E.M. Statistical significance was defined as ^### p<0.01 compared with the sham group; and * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001 compared with the OVA+vehicle group.