Suppression of NF κB p65 and STAT3 by Melicope pteleifolia Extract Mitigates Ovalbumin Driven Allergic Rhinitis in Mice

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE-mediated inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa, characterized by epithelial barrier disruption, immune cell infiltration, and cytokine imbalance. This study evaluated the bioactivity of Melicope pteleifolia ethanolic extract (MP) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model of AR. Mice sensitized and challenged with OVA were treated orally with MP (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg, b.w.) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg, b.w.). MP significantly and dose-dependently alleviated nasal symptoms, with the highest dose achieving effects comparable to dexamethasone. Nasal lavage fluid analysis revealed reductions in eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and epithelial cells, while histological examination showed restoration of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue and septal mucosa. On the molecular level, MP suppressed NF-κB-p65 and IκBα phosphorylation, inhibited STAT3 signaling, downregulated Th17/Th2-associated markers (RORc, IL-17A, IL-5, IL-13, IL-6), and enhanced anti-inflammatory and Th1 cytokines (IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12). Collectively, these results demonstrate the broad anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating potential of MP, highlighting its value as a promising non-steroidal candidate for AR therapy. While the present work primarily establishes pharmacological bioactivity, these insights may also provide a scientific foundation for exploring Melicope pteleifolia in future biomaterial-based biomedical applications.