• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1042-1052
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• 2010

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Mundongcheongpye-eum (MCE) on elastase-induced lung injury. The extract of MCE was treated to A549 cells and elastase-induced lung injury mice model. Then, various parameters such as cell-based cyto-protective activity and histopathological finding were analyzed. MCE showed a protective effect on elastase-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. This effect was correlated with analysis for caspase 3 levels, collagen and elastin contents, protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2, and gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in A549 cells. MCE treatment also revealed the protective effect on elastase-induced lung injury in mice model. This effect was evidenced via histopathological finding including immunofluence stains against elastin, collagen, caspase 3, and protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2 in lung tissue. These data suggest that MCE has a pharmaceutical properties on lung injury. This study would provide an scientific evidence for the efficacy of MCE for clinical application to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.