Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, presents a significant global health burden. The search for effective therapeutic interventions, especially from natural sources, remains imperative. Our study investigates the therapeutic potential of Manilkara zapota L. P. Royen (Sapodilla) in alleviating chronic asthma in rats. It elucidates its mechanism of action, focusing on the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) pathway while identifying ß-sitosterol as a crucial bioactive compound.

Using a rat model of chronic asthma induced by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge, we demonstrate that M. zapota administration effectively attenuates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Histopathological analysis reveals reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion in the lung tissues of treated rats. Mechanistically, our findings indicate that M. zapota treatment significantly decreased IL-1ß, a key mediator of airway inflammation. Additionally, our investigation identifies ß-sitosterol, a phytosterol abundant in M. zapota, as a major bioactive constituent responsible for its therapeutic effects in asthma.

This study sheds light on the therapeutic potential of M. zapota in managing chronic asthma by targeting the IL-1ß pathway, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms of action. Furthermore, identifying ß-sitosterol as a key component underscores the importance of natural products in drug discovery and development for respiratory disorders. These findings warrant further exploration and potential clinical translation of M. zapota based therapies for asthma management.