This in vivo study has evaluated the effects of extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented Platycodon grandifolium on airway inflammation and cough reflex in asthmatic guinea pigs.

The supplementation with 400 mg/kg of body weigh induce a significant decrease of eosinophils and total cells numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid when compared to control group. Moreover, in vivo the extract was also associated with a significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines concentration (IL-17E) involved in the induction of Th2 immunity and eosinophils amplification, and in vitro with a significant reduction of pro-inflammatory markers secretion (TNF-α, Il-6, IL-1β and iNOS) by murine macrophages cell line. This decrease of systemic inflammation was also noted in vivo in lung tissues by histological analysis. At last, the supplementation was also associated with a reduction of the numbers of cough when compared with control.

This in vivo study showed that extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented Platycodon grandifolium relieved airway inflammation and cough reflex sensitivity in vivo, and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of iNOS and several pro-inflammatory cytokines. 

Lee S, Han EH, Lim MK, Lee SH, Yu HJ, Lim YH, Kang S. Fermented Platycodon grandiflorum Extracts Relieve Airway Inflammation and Cough Reflex Sensitivity In Vivo. J Med Food. 2020 Aug 6. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2019.4595. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32758004.

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