Effects of an anthraquinone derivative from Rheum officinale Baill, emodin, on airway responses in a murine model of asthma

► Emodin reduce IL-5, IL-13 and eosinophilia aggregation into the lungs. ► Emodin inhibited mRNA expression of AMCase, Ym2, and Muc5ac in lung tissues. ► Emodin inhibited mucus hyper-secretion by goblet cells in the airway. ► Emodin inhibited the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway.