Figure 3.

Osthole reduced Th2 immune responses in mice with OVA-induced asthma. (a–e) BALF from each group of mice was collected and analyzed for IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin and IL-10 contents using ELISA kits. (f–i) Splenocytes (10⁷ cells/well) were stimulated with OVA for 3 days. Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-10 in supernatants were determined using ELISA kits. (j) OVA-specific T-cell proliferation was reduced in osthole-treated mice. Splenocytes (3 × 10⁵ cells/well) were stimulated with OVA for 5 days. The cells were then pulsed with [³H]-thymidine for 16–18 h. The c.p.m. values were measured with a β-counter. The results are expressed as the mean±s.e.m. of six mice per group. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs the PC group.