Bavachin inhibits IL-4 expression by downregulating STAT6 phosphorylation and GATA-3 expression and ameliorates asthma inflammation in an animal model

IL-4 plays a key role in many human diseases, including allergic asthma, autoimmunity, allergies, and cancer. Therefore, the investigation of small compounds that regulate IL-4 secretion is of great interest for fighting these diseases. Natural flavonoids are useful compounds reported to have therapeutic effects in diseases involving IL-4. This study aimed to investigate small compounds that inhibit the effect of IL-4 with the lowest cell toxicity. We found that Bavachin had the greatest ability to downregulate IL-4 in the spleen of T cells from 4get IL-4-GFP mice. To identify the underlying molecular mechanisms, we found that Bavachin could decrease the IL-4 levels by downregulating the level of Gata-3 expression and STAT6 phosphorylation. These findings reveal the potential use of Bavachin as a tool for selectively controlling diseases involving IL-4 and, more generally, STAT6dependent responses.