Dioscin exhibits protective effects on in vivo and in vitro asthma models via suppressing TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and AKT pathways

Dioscin: Therapeutic potential for diabetes and complications

Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder with increasing incidence worldwide, posing a considerable threat to human health because of its complications. Therefore, cost-effective antidiabetic drugs with minimal side effects are urgently needed. Dioscin, a naturally occurring compound, helps to reduce the complications of diabetes mellitus by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, protecting islet β cells, improving insulin resistance, and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Plant-derived dioscin reduces the risk of toxicity and side effects associated with chemically synthesized drugs. It is a promising option for treating diabetes mellitus because of its preventive and therapeutic effects, which may be attributed to a variety of underlying mechanisms. However, data compiled by current studies are preliminary. Information about the molecular mechanism of dioscin remains limited, and no high-quality human experiments and clinical trials for testing its safety and efficacy have been conducted. As a resource for research in this area, this review is expected to provide a systematic framework for the application of dioscin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Medicine Targeting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Treat Airway Remodeling and Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression

Objective. Dysregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the airway epithelium is associated with airway remodeling and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Many treatments have been shown to inhibit airway remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis progression in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by regulating EMT and have few side effects. This review aimed to describe the development of airway remodeling through the EMT pathway, as well as the potential therapeutic targets in these pathways. Furthermore, this study aimed to review the current research on drugs to treat airway remodeling and their effects on the EMT pathway. Findings. The dysregulation of EMT was associated with airway remodeling in various respiratory diseases. The cytokines released during inflammation may induce EMT and subsequent airway remodeling. Various drugs, including herbal formulations, specific herbal compounds, cytokines, amino acid or protein inhibitors, microRNAs, and vitamins, may suppress airway remodeling by inhibiting EMT-related pathways.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Modulates Lung Inflammation and Mitigates Gut Dysbiosis in a Murine Model of Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome

The asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) presents lung inflammation similar to both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Due to the immune response between the lung and gut, it is possible that ACOS individuals present gut dysbiosis. Due to therapeutic limitations in ACOS, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr) have received attention once Lr has been effective in asthma and COPD. However, there is no data about the Lr effect on both lung inflammation and gut dysbiosis in ACOS. Thus, our study investigated the Lr effect on lung inflammation, bronchoconstriction, airway remodeling, and gut dysbiosis in the murine ACOS model. Treated mice with Lr were exposed to HDM and cigarette smoke to induce ACOS. Sixty days after ACOS induction, mice were euthanized. Lung inflammation was evaluated in leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), airway remodeling, cytokine secretion, and transcription factor expression in the lung. The gut microbiota was assayed by 16S mRNA sequencing from a fecal sample. Leukocyte population, bronchial hyperreactivity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and airway remodeling were attenuated in Lr-treated ACOS mice. Likewise, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, STAT6 and GATA3, as well as IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, STAT3, and RORɣt were reduced after Lr. In addition, IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, STAT1, and T-bet as well as IL-10, TGF-β, STAT5, and Foxp3 were restored after the Lr. Firmicutes was reduced, while Deferribacteres was increased after Lr. Likewise, Lr decreased Staphylococcus and increased Mucispirillum in ACOS mice. Lr improves fecal bacterial β-diversity. Our findings show for the first time the Lr effect on lung inflammation and gut dysbiosis in murine ACOS.

Epithelial cell dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis: the epithelial-mesenchymal transition

INTRODUCTION

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a type of epithelial cell dysfunction, which is widely present in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), especially CRS with nasal polyps, and contributes to pathogenesis of the disease. EMT is mediated via complex mechanisms associated with multiple signaling pathways.

AREAS COVERED

We have summarized the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways promoting EMT in CRS. Strategies or drugs/agents targeting the genes and pathways related to the regulation of EMT are also discussed for their potential use in the treatment of CRS and asthma. A literature search of studies published in English from 2000 to 2023 was conducted using the PubMed database, employing CRS, EMT, signaling, mechanisms, targeting agents/drugs, as individual or combinations of search terms.

EXPERT OPINION

EMT in nasal epithelium not only leads to epithelial cell dysfunction but also plays an important role in nasal tissue remodeling in CRS. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying EMT and the development of drugs/agents targeting these mechanisms may provide new treatment strategies for CRS.