effect of hedera helix on lung histopathology in chronic asthma.

hedera helix  is widely used to treat bronchial asthma for many years. however, effects of this herb on lung histopathology is still far from clear. we aimed to determine the effect of oral administration of hedera helix on lung histopathology in a murine model of chronic asthma. balb/c  mice  were  divided  into  four  groups;   i  (placebo),  ii  (hedera  helix), iii (dexamethasone) and iv (control). all mice except controls were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. then, mice in group i received saline, group ii 100 mg/kg hedera helix and group iii 1 mg/kg  dexamethasone via orogastic gavage once daily for one week. airway histopathology was evaluated by using light and electron microscopy in all groups. goblet  cell numbers and thicknesses of basement membrane were found  significantly lower in group ii, but there was no statistically significant difference in terms of number of mast cells, thicknesses of epithelium and subepithelial smooth muscle layers between group i and ii. when hedera helix and dexamethasone groups were compared with each other, thickness of epithelium, subepithelial muscle layers, number of mast cells and goblet cells of group iii were significantly ameliorated when compared with the group ii. although hedera helix administration reduced only goblet cell counts and the thicknesses of basement membrane  in the  asthmatic airways, dexamethasone ameliorated all histopathologic parameters except thickness of  basement  membrane  better  than  hedera helix.