• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2019

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Pyunkang-tang extract (PGT), a complex herbal extract based on traditional Chinese medicine that is used in Korea for controlling diverse pulmonary diseases, on cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary pathology in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The constituents of PGT were Lonicerae japonica, Liriope platyphylla, Adenophora triphilla, Xantium strumarinum, Selaginella tamariscina and Rehmannia glutinosa. Rats were exposed by inhalation to a mixture of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and sulfur dioxide for three weeks to induce COPD-like pulmonary inflammation. PGT was administered orally to rats and pathological changes to the pulmonary system were examined in each group of animals through measurement of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 21 days post-CSE treatment. The effect of PGT on the hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin in rats was assessed by quantification of the amount of mucus secreted and by examining histopathologic changes in tracheal epithelium. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with PGT for 30 min and then stimulated with CSE plus PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Production of MUC5AC mucin protein was measured by ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) PGT inhibited CSE-induced pulmonary inflammation as shown by decreased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 levels in BALF; (2) PGT inhibited the hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin and normalized the increased amount of mucosubstances in goblet cells of the CSE-induced COPD rat model; (3) PGT inhibited CSE-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression in vitro in NCI-H292 cells, a human airway epithelial cell line. These results suggest that PGT might regulate the inflammatory aspects of COPD in a rat model.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.674-680
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The representative mucin genes in the human airway are MUC5AC and MUC5B, which are regulated by several inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances. Triptolide (TPL), udenafil, betulinic acid, changkil saponin, and glucosteroid are some of the many anti-inflammatory substances that exist. TPL is a diterpenoid compound from the thunder god vine, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of immune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and asthma. However, the effects of TPL on mucin expression of human airway epithelial cells have yet to be reported. Hence, this study investigated the effect of TPL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. Subjects and Method The NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells were used to investigate the effects of TPL on LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, and Western blot. Results TPL significantly decreased the LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production. TPL also significantly decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) phosphorylation. Conclusion These results suggest that TPL down regulates MUC5AC and MUC5B expression via inhibition of NF-kB activation in human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide important information about the biological role of triptolide on mucus-secretion in airway inflammatory diseases and the development of novel therapeutic agents for controlling such diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.89-89
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• 1995

Surface epithelial cells isolated from hamster tracheas and grown on a thick collagen gel become a highly enriched population of mucus-secreting cells. Epithelial cells from tracheas of hamsters were collected using enzymatic procedures and cultured under various conditions. The medium used consisted of a 1:1 mixture of medium 199 and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's (DME) medium which was conditioned before use. Insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, epidermal growth factor, and extract from bovine hypothalamus were used as supplement. Due to relatively low basal rates of min secretion from in vitro cultures, cultures are generally radiolabeled using $^3$H-glucosamine as a metabolic precursor. The radiolabeled mucinsreleased are quantitated by precipitation with TCA/PTA. Using this cell culture system, we investigated mucin release of goblet cells by altering the media bathing the apical surface of hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells. Acidic media added sulfuric acid caused sigcificant increases in mucin relesse (155${\pm}$20% at pH 4 and 146${\pm}$16% at, pH 5). Ammonium hydroxide also increased mucin release at pH 9.0(156${\pm}$17%) and pH 10(295${\pm}$9%) respectively. This additional mucin release seems to be associated with cell membrane damage as indicated by release of cellular LDH. SP stimulates secretion of mucin in cultured HTSE cells(154${\pm}$16% at 1${\times}$10$\^$-6/M and 165${\pm}$25% at 1${\times}$10$\^$-5/M. PAF at 5${\times}$10$\^$-6/M and 5${\times}$10$\^$-5/M enhanced by HTSE cells in vitro 168${\pm}$34% and 259${\pm}$30% of mucin secretion, respectively. The increase in mucin release by PAF and SP was not secondary to cell damage or necrosis. SP and PAF may be in mediating mucous secretion induced by inflammation irritantion and infection.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2021

Asthma is a chronic obstructive lung disease characterized by recurrent episodes of bronchoconstriction and wheezing. Conventional asthma treatment involves the suppression of airway inflammation or improving airway flow. Rosmarinus officialis, also known as rosemary, is a Mediterranean plant that is used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Carnosol, a diterpenoid found in rosemary extracts, has been known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidant effects. The effect of carnosol on allergic responses has not been tested yet. The effect of carnosol on a murine allergic asthma model were investigated. Carnosol inhibited the degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells. Carnosol treatment inhibited the increase in the number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of mice treated with ovalbumin. Carnosol treatment also inhibited inflammatory responses and mucin production in histologic studies. Carnosol treatment inhibited the increases of IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines expression in both BALF and the lungs. These results suggest that carnosol may have a potential for allergic asthma therapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2007

Background: Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are effective in controlling asthma in the majority of patients, a subset of asthmatics fails to demonstrate a satisfactory response, even to systemic GC therapy. This population is referred to as being "steroid-resistant". The actual mechanism underlying steroid resistance in asthma remains to be elucidated. Methods: We have investigated how dexamethasone (DEX) regulates asthmatic phenotypes in a murine model of asthma, in which mice received i.p. immunization twice, followed by two bronchoprovocations with aerosolized OVA with a one-week interval, which we have recently described. Results: Pretreatment with DEX resulted in an inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in asthmatic lungs, and also inhibited bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) levels of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and CC chemokines [eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1]. DEX was effective in suppressing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) at 10 h, Th2-dependent asthmatic phenotypes such as airway eosinophilia, BAL levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13), and mucin production. However, DEX failed to suppress BAL levels of CXC chemokines [macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)] and airway neutrophilia. Conclusion: Airway neutrophilia is among the phenomena observed in patients with severe GC-resistant asthma. This study will provide insight into the molecular basis for airway neutrophila seen in steroid-resistant asthma. Further studies are required to delineate the underlying mechanism of CXC chemokine expression in asthma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.496-504
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• 2022

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) is considered a principal cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with mucus hypersecretion and airway inflammation. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a product of ginsenoside metabolism, has various biological activities. Studies on the effects of CK for the treatment of COPD and mucus hypersecretion, including the underlying signaling mechanism, have not yet been conducted. Methods: To study the protective effects and molecular mechanism of CK, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells were used as a cellular model of airway inflammation. An experimental mouse COPD model was also established via CS inhalation and intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 secretion, as well as elastase activity and reactive oxygen species production, were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inflammatory cell influx and mucus secretion in mouse lung tissues were estimated using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining, respectively. PKCδ and its downstream signaling molecules were analyzed via western blotting. Results: CK prevented the secretion of MUC5AC and TNF-α in PMA-stimulated NCI-H292 cells and exhibited a protective effect in COPD mice via the suppression of inflammatory mediators and mucus secretion. These effects were accompanied by an inactivation of PKCδ and related signaling in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: CK suppressed pulmonary inflammation and mucus secretion in COPD mouse model through PKC regulation, highlighting the compound's potential as a useful adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of COPD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2015

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effects of Agastachis Herba water (AH-W) extract on compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release in human mast cells and also anti-asthmatic effect of AH-W extract on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in mice. Methods : Human mast cells, HMC-1 were treated with AH-W extract in the presence or absence of compound 48/80 (C48/80). Mast cell degranulation was observed by microscope, and the histamine release was measured in culture medium by ELISA. For preparation of asthmatic in vivo model, mice were sensitized (0, 7, and 14 days) with OVA and airway challenged (21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 days). AH-W extract at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/body weight was orally administered during OVA challenge once per a day. The levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and Th1/Th2 cytokines, IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-4 were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA. The histopathological change of lung tissues was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining. Results : The treatment of AH-W extract significantly decreased the mast cell degranulation and histamine release in C48/80-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In addition, The administration of AH-W extract at does of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE compared with those of OVA control group. In H&E and PAS staining, AH-W extract inhibited OVA-induced airway inflammation, and inflammatory cells infiltration, and also histopathological damages on lung tissues such as bronchiole epithelial desquamation, goblet cells hyperplasia, and mucin releasing. Conclusions : These results indicate that AH-W extract may improve asthmatic symptoms through mast cell stabilization and inhibiting the lung inflammation in bronchial asthma.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.105-113
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• 1996

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2020

Hypersecretion of pulmonary mucus is a major pathophysiological feature in allergic and inflammatory respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Overproduction and/or oversecretion of mucus cause the airway obstruction and the colonization of pathogenic microbes. Developing a novel pharmacological agent to regulate the production and/or secretion of pulmonary mucus can be a useful strategy for the effective management of pathologic hypersecretion of mucus observed in COPD and asthma. Thus, in the present review, we tried to give an overview of the conventional pharmacotherapy for mucus-hypersecretory diseases and recent research results on searching for the novel candidate agents for controlling of pulmonary mucus hypersecretion, aiming to shed light on the potential efficacious pharmacotherapy of mucus-hypersecretory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.198-198
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• 1998

Muc1 mucin is found in a variety of epithelial tissue and is overexpressed in several epithelial cancer. Recently it is alsol reported that primary Hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells express Muc1 protein and cDNA encoding HTSE muc1 protein has been cloned. Although numerous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to human muncins, particularly Muc1 have been produced, no such antibodies to murine Muc1 have been described. We now describe monoclonal antibody, called mAb M1CT, produced to C-terminal region of HTSE Muc1 protein by immunising mice with a glutathion-s-transferase linked fusion protein. In this study, using this antibody(mAb M1CT) we investigated the effect of RA on the expression of Muc1 in HTSE cells. Retinoic acid(RA) plays an essential role in maintaining normal differentiation of tracheal epithelial cells. With RA-deficiency tracheocytes undergo squamous metaplasia, an abnormal differentiation that can be reversed by RA. We had primary culture of HTSE cells under different concentrations of RA. Culture was maintained until the direction of differentiation was determined. Then Western blot analysis with mAb M1CT was performed with the cell lysates from the culture. The expression of Muc1 protein was decreased in dose-dependent manner as the concentration of retinoic acid was decreased. Our result indicates that the expression of Muc1 protein is coordinately regulated with airway mucous cell differentiation by RA pathway. And the antibody, mAb M1CT, produced in this study should provide useful tool to study the expression of Muc1 mucin in differentiation process or disease.