Fermentation by Rhizopus spp. has been used as a traditional medicine for treating various inflammatory diseases. Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is caused by an exaggerated immune response. This study was conducted to ascertain the anti-inflammatory effects of Rhizopus spp. fermentation extract (RU) on a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. The animals were intraperitoneally injected OVA on day 1 and 7, followed by OVA intranasal inhalation on days 14 to 18. The animals were treated daily with RU (100 and 200 mg/kg) by oral gavage from day 18 to day 23. RU significantly decreased eosinophilia and the production of inflammatory cytokines and OVA specific immunoglobulin E in animals with asthma, along with reducing airway inflammation and mucus secretion in lung tissue. Histological changes in the lungs and levels of inflammatory mediators of allergic airway inflammation were evaluated. The regulatory effects of RU on type 2 helper T (Th2) cell activation were investigated. RU administration attenuated asthmatic changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production, decreased the levels of Th2-related cytokines, and reduced Th2 cell activation. Administration of RU effectively reduced allergic responses in asthmatic mice, which is associated with regulating Th2 cell activation and differentiation. These results indicate that RU can attenuate the respiratory symptoms of asthma.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is critical for reproduction and social behavior in ruminants, including cattle. The present study examined the structure of the VNO and its epithelial cells in neonatal and adult Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), Bos taurus coreanae , using immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. Histologically, the VNO comprised two types of epithelia: medial vomeronasal sensory (VSE) and lateral vomeronasal non-sensory epithelia (VNSE). Numerous blood vessels and nerve bundles were observed within the vomeronasal cartilage encased lamina propria. Immunohistochemistry revealed high expression level of protein gene product9.5 and moderate expression level of olfactory marker protein in the neuroreceptor cells of the VSE and occasionally in some ciliated cells of the VNSE in both neonates and adults. The properties of the glycoconjugates in the VNO were investigated using 21 lectins, most of which were expressed at varied intensities in the VSE and VNSE, as well as in the lamina propria. Several lectins exhibited variations in their intensities and localization between neonatal and adult VNOs. This study is the first descriptive lectin histochemical examination of the VNO of Korean native cattle with a focus on lectin histochemistry, confirming that the VNO of Korean native cattle is differentiated during postnatal development.