3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-cycloastragenol, or
Astragaloside IV (AST), is one of the major active ingredients isolated from Astragalus membranaceous with distinct pharmacological effects, and possesses anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and antifibrotic properties. However, the effects of AST on
allergic rhinitis remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to examine the effects of AST on
immunoglobulin (Ig) E‑mediated
allergic reactions in vivo, by using a mouse model of
allergic rhinitis established via repetitive sensitization and intranasal challenge with
ovalbumin (OVA). Intragastric administration of AST (25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) or
dexamethasone (DEX; 3 mg/kg) significantly alleviated the inflammatory response, nasal symptoms and mucosa remodeling, and decreased the serum levels of OVA‑specific
IgE in allergic mice. Furthermore, treatment with AST or DEX significantly suppressed the
mRNA and
protein expression levels of the
transcription factor GATA‑3 and
retinoic acid receptor‑related
orphan nuclear receptor (ROR)γt in tissue samples isolated from the spleen and nasal mucosa of mice with
allergic rhinitis. Conversely,
mRNA and
protein expression levels of T‑box
protein expressed in T cells (T‑bet) and
forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) were upregulated in the spleen and nasal mucosa of mice with
allergic rhinitis following treatment with AST or DEX, and spleen
protein levels of
signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 followed a similar trend. In addition, treatment with AST was associated with fewer adverse events compared with treatment with DEX. The present results suggested that treatment with AST may attenuate OVA‑induced
allergic rhinitis via regulating the expression of the
transcription factors GATA‑3, RORγt, T‑bet and Foxp3, which commit T helper cells to the Th1 phenotype. Therefore, AST may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with
allergic rhinitis.