Anti-inflammatory and antitussive efficacy of ivy leaf dry extract EA575 in an acute airway inflammation animal model

The mode of action of ivy leaf dry extract EA575 (DER 5-7.5:1, extraction solvent 30% ethanol) is well described in vitro [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] however so far in vivo data translating cellular mechanisms into physiological context is scarce. Within two studies, the efficacy to attenuate inflammation in mice and inflammation-associated cough in guinea pigs after twice-daily EA575 treatment (43, 215.25, and 430.5 mg/kg bw/d) for 6 and 7 days, respectively, was elucidated. First, a murine bleomycin-induced acute airway inflammation model was applied to assess anti-inflammatory properties. The study was terminated on day 7, 24 h after the last EA575 treatment and investigated cytology and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as histopathological changes including goblet cell metaplasia after 3- and 7-days post-bleomycin challenge. EA575 treatment dose-dependently reduced inflammatory cell influx in BALF and lung tissue at day 3 and 7. Furthermore, cytokine levels in BALF, e.g., TNF-α and IL-6, were dose-dependently decreased. Lastly, pathology score of goblet cell metaplasia showed a dose-dependent reduction at both timepoints. Moreover, the impact of EA575 on inflammation-associated cough was investigated in guinea pigs with bleomycin-induced acute airway inflammation after 7 days of EA575 treatment. Hereby, quantification of cough events after citric acid exposure and cytology in BALF were the main endpoints. Upon citric acid exposure, EA575 dose-dependently reduced inflammatory cell influx in BALF and the number of coughing events were accordingly reduced. Together, these observations highlight the potential of EA575 in the treatment of acute airway inflammation, especially during respiratory diseases accompanied with inflammation-associated excessive mucus production and cough. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany