Andrographolide prevented toluene diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma and aberrant airway E-cadherin distribution via p38 MAPK-dependent Nrf2 induction

Terminalia bellirica and Andrographis paniculata dietary supplementation in mitigating heat stress-induced behavioral, metabolic and genetic alterations in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most significant environmental stressors on poultry production and welfare worldwide. Identification of innovative and effective solutions is necessary. This study evaluated the effects of phytogenic feed additives (PHY) containing Terminalia bellirica and Andrographis paniculata on behavioral patterns, hematological and biochemical parameters, Oxidative stress biomarkers, and HSP70, I-FABP2, IL10, TLR4, and mTOR genes expression in different organs of broiler chickens under chronic HS conditions. A total of 208 one-day-old Avian-480 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four treatments (4 replicate/treatment, 52 birds/treatment): Thermoneutral control treatment (TN, fed basal diet); Thermoneutral treatment (TN, fed basal diet + 1 kg/ton feed PHY); Heat stress treatment (HS, fed basal diet); Heat stress treatment (HS, fed basal diet + 1 kg/ton feed PHY).

RESULTS

The findings of the study indicate that HS led to a decrease in feeding, foraging, walking, and comfort behavior while increasing drinking and resting behavior, also HS increased red, and white blood cells (RBCs and WBCs) counts, and the heterophile/ lymphocyte (H/L) ratio (P < 0.05); while both mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, HS negatively impacted lipid, protein, and glucose levels, liver and kidney function tests, and oxidative biomarkers by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreasing reduced glutathion (GSH) activity (P < 0.05). Heat stress (HS) caused the upregulation in HSP70, duodenal TLR4 gene expression, and the downregulation of I-FABP2, IL10, mTOR in all investigated tissues, and hepatic TLR4 (P < 0.05) compared with the TN treatment. Phytogenic feed additives (PHY) effectively mitigated heat stress's negative impacts on broilers via an improvement of broilers' behavior, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress biomarkers with a marked decrease in HSP70 expression levels while all tissues showed increased I-FABP2, IL10, TLR4, and mTOR (except liver) levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Phytogenic feed additives (PHY) containing Terminalia bellirica and Andrographis paniculata have ameliorated the HS-induced oxidative stress and improved the immunity as well as the gut health and welfare of broiler chickens.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by allopurinol suppresses HMGB1 secretion and ameliorates experimental asthma

BACKGROUND

Extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key mediator in driving allergic airway inflammation and contributes to asthma. Yet, mechanism of HMGB1 secretion in asthma is poorly defined. Pulmonary metabolic dysfunction is recently recognized as a driver of respiratory pathology. However, the altered metabolic signatures and the roles of metabolic to allergic airway inflammation remain unclear.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 J mice were sensitized and challenged with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to generate a chemically induced asthma model. Pulmonary untargeted metabolomics was employed. According to results, mice were orally administered allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were stimulated by TDI-human serum albumin (HSA).

RESULTS

We identified the purine metabolism was the most enriched pathway in TDI-exposed lungs, corresponding to the increase of xanthine and uric acid, products of purine degradation mediated by XO. Inhibition of XO by allopurinol ameliorates TDI-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage, mixed granulocytic airway inflammation and Th1, Th2 and Th17 immunology as well as HMGB1 acetylation and secretion. Mechanistically, HMGB1 acetylation was caused by decreased activation of the NAD+-sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) axis triggered by hyperactivation of the DNA damage sensor poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase 1 (PARP-1). This was rescued by allopurinol, PARP-1 inhibitor or supplementation with NAD+ precursor in a SIRT1-dependent manner. Meanwhile, allopurinol attenuated Nrf2 defect due to SIRT1 inactivation to help ROS scavenge.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated a novel regulation of HMGB1 acetylation and secretion by purine metabolism that is critical for asthma onset. Allopurinol may have therapeutic potential in patients with asthma.

An Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees extract standardized for three main Andrographolides prevents house dust mite-induced airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperreactivity by regulating Th1/Th2 gene expression in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees (AP) is an herb used traditionally in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory and respiratory tract diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory potential of standardized Andrographis paniculata 50% ethanol extract (APEE50) in the murine model of asthma has not been investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the protective anti-inflammatory potential and better understand the underlying mechanism of action of APEE50 in a clinically-relevant mouse asthma model. Thereafter, develop the ethanolic extract of AP as a supplement for asthma prophylaxis.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

APEE50 was prepared and standardized for AGP, NAG, and DDAG using a high-performance liquid chromatography system. Asthma was induced according to a 14-day house dust mite (HDM) induction protocol. The prophylactic potential of APEE50 (50 mg/kg - 200 mg/kg) was determined by assessing cardinal asthma features, which included BALF leukocyte and differential cell count, BALF cytokine assay, histology, gene expression, and airway hyperreactivity study.

RESULTS

APEE50 significantly inhibited HDM-induced airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia. In addition to decreased levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar fluid, APEE50 abrogated HDM-induced airway mucus over-secretion and airway hyper-responsiveness. Administration of APEE50 downregulated HDM-induced upregulation of the oxidative stress enzyme Duox1 (dual oxidase 1) and marginally induced Nfe2l2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) gene expressions. Similarly, Th2-related (Serpinb2, Clca3a1, Il4 and Il13) and Muc5ac gene expression were significantly downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic administration of APEE50 prevented the progression of HDM-induced asthmatic responses by down-regulating Th2 cytokine gene expression and oxidative stress level.

Echinacoside alleviates airway remodeling and inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced neonatal mouse model of asthma by modulating the SIRT1-NF-κB pathway

PURPOSE

Echinacoside (ECH) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-immune effects, and may be effective for treating asthma. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ECH on asthma.

METHODS

A mouse model of asthma was established by ovalbumin (OVA) induction, and the effect of ECH on airway remodeling in mice was evaluated using the Periodic Acid-Schiff stain and enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Additionally, the effect of ECH on collagen deposition in asthmatic mice was assessed using Western blotting (WB) analysis, and response to airway inflammation was evaluated by ELISA. The signaling pathway regulated by ECH was also investigated using WB.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that ECH restored OVA-induced increase in mucin, -immunoglobulin E, and respiratory resistance. ECH also alleviated OVA-induced collagen -deposition, including collagen I, collagen III, alpha smooth muscle actin, and epithelial (E)-cadherin. Moreover, ECH restored the elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-13, IL-17, and the increased -number of macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophills induced by OVA. ECH mainly exerted its regulatory effects by modulating the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Sirtuin 1/SIRT1)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the mouse models of asthma.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the therapeutic potential of ECH for attenuating airway remodeling and inflammation in an OVA-induced neonatal mouse model of asthma through the modulation of SIRT1/NF-κB pathway.

Andrographolide induced ferroptosis in multiple myeloma cells by regulating the P38/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Andrographis paniculata is used as a functional food in Asia. Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpene lactone isolated from Andrographis paniculata, has been reported to have potent anticancer activity. Multiple myeloma (MM), the second most common malignant tumor in hematology, is incurable. Ferroptosis, a type of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has shown potential in the treatment of various cancers. However, previous studies have not demonstrated whether Andro inhibits the development of MM via ferroptosis or any other mechanism. In the present study, we observed that Andro induced cell death, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and evoked oxidative stress in MM cells. Interestingly, these phenomena were accompanied by increases in intracellular and mitochondrial Fe²⁺ and lipid peroxidation levels. Furthermore, treatment with ferroptosis inhibitors rescued Andro-induced cell death, which indicated that ferroptosis contributed to this phenomenon. Mechanistic examination showed that Andro may block the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by activating P38, thereby inducing ferroptosis. Moreover, inhibition of P38 expression rescued Andro-induced cell death, changes in the level of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, Fe²⁺ and lipid peroxidation. Taken together, our findings suggest that Andro induces ferroptosis in MM cells via the P38/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, providing a potential preventative and therapeutic approach for MM.

Integrated systems pharmacology and transcriptomics to dissect the mechanisms of Loki Zupa decoction in the treatment of murine allergic asthma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Loki zupa (LKZP) decoction, a traditional Uyghur medicine prescription, has been commonly used to treat numerous respiratory ailments in the Xinjiang region of western China, especially chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. Due to its complex chemical composition, however, the mechanism of action of LKZP has yet to be fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Based on the balanced regulation theory of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation, we tried to investigate the effectiveness of LKZP on asthma and its related protective mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, an experimental model of asthma was established using ovalbumin (OVA) in BALB/c mice to assess the effects of LKZP. The potential mechanism of LKZP anti allergic asthma were researched by the combination of in silico systems pharmacology and in vivo transcriptomics.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that LKZP exerted a therapeutic effect against OVA-induced asthma by reducing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), peribronchial inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. Meanwhile, LKZP downregulated the expression of OVA-induced IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and concurrently promoted the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Systems pharmacology analysis identified 10 core bioactive ingredients and 26 hub targets of LKZP against asthma. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed 246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after LKZP treatment. These were mainly expressed in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and immune and inflammatory response-related signaling pathways. Additionally, the real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) results for the nine selected DEGs matched those of the RNA-seq analysis. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways were identified as candidate targets involved in the action of LKZP on allergic asthma, which was highly consistent with the findings in silico. By qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis, it was verified that LKZP treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α stimulated by OVA in asthmatic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our experimental data revealed that LKZP could be a candidate for the treatment of allergic asthma via NF-κB and HIF-1 signaling pathways.

Solamargine Alleviated UVB-Induced Inflammation and Melanogenesis in Human Keratinocytes and Melanocytes via the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway, a Promising Agent for Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common acquired pigmentary disorder occurring after skin inflammation or injury. Ultraviolet B irradiation could exaggerate PIH clinically due to its effect on promoting cutaneous inflammation and melanogenesis in keratinocytes and melanocytes, respectively. Solamargine (SM), a steroidal alkaloid glycoside extracted from Solanum undatum, significantly inhibits Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IFN-γ, as well as paracrine melanogenic factors ET-1, α-MSH, and bFGF in human keratinocytes. Additionally, SM significantly attenuated UVB-induced melanin synthesis in human epidermal melanocytes through down-regulation of tyrosinase activity and expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase. SM exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes through the p38 MAPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. With its anti-inflammatory and whitening effect, SM may improve PIH through paracrine regulations of keratinocytes and direct action on melanocytes, making it a promising agent for PIH.

An insight into the pharmacological and analytical potential of Andrographolide

Andrographis paniculata is an annual medicinal herb from the family Acanthaceae. Andrographolide is generally considered an essential bioactive component of plant A. paniculata. Since ancient times, it has been widely recognized for its therapeutic qualities and has attracted the scientific and medical communities' attention. This review summarizes the molecular, clinical, and in vitro research of compound andrographolide and its mechanism of action. Andrographolide, when combined with other enhancing agents, offers a wide variety of health benefits. The therapeutic potential of andrographolide has been exemplified and exhibited by directly regulating genes and indirectly interacting with small molecules and different enzymes. This review compiles and consolidates the pharmacological action of andrographolide and its analogs and deciphers the gaps that have hindered its use in medicinal research.

Advances in ameliorating inflammatory diseases and cancers by andrographolide: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and perspective

Andrographolide, a well-known natural lactone having a range of pharmacological actions in traditional Chinese medicine. It has long been used to cure a variety of ailments. In this review, we cover the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activity of andrographolide which supports its further clinical application in cancers and inflammatory diseases. Growing evidence shows a good therapeutic effect in inflammatory diseases, including liver diseases, joint diseases, respiratory system diseases, nervous system diseases, heart diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and inflammatory skin diseases. As a result, the effects of andrographolide on immune cells and the processes that underpin them are discussed. The preclinical use of andrographolide to different organs in response to malignancies such as colorectal, liver, gastric, breast, prostate, lung, and oral cancers has also been reviewed. In addition, several clinical trials of andrographolide in inflammatory diseases and cancers have been summarized. This review highlights recent advances in ameliorating inflammatory diseases as well as cancers by andrographolide and its analogs, providing a new perspective for subsequent research of this traditional natural product.

Modified BuShenYiQi formula alleviates experimental allergic asthma in mice by negative regulation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and CD4+ type 9 helper T cells and the VIP-VPAC2 signalling pathway

CONTEXT

Modified BuShenYiQi formula (M-BYF) is derived from BuShenYiQi formula, used for the treatment of allergic asthma. The exact effect and mechanism of M-BYF on the improvement of asthma remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of M-BYF on allergic asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The asthma model was established in female BALB/c mice that were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice in the treated groups were orally treated once a day with M-BYF (7, 14 and 28 g/kg/d) or dexamethasone before OVA challenge. Control and Model group received saline. Pathophysiological abnormalities and percentages of lung type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and Th9 cells were measured. Expression levels of type 2 cytokines and transcription factors required for these cells function and differentiation were analysed. Expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-VPAC2 signalling pathway-related proteins, and percentages of VIP expressing (VIP⁺) cells and VPAC2, CD90 co-expressing (VPAC2⁺CD90⁺) cells were detected.

RESULTS

M-BYF alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and collagen deposition in asthmatic mice. M-BYF down-regulated percentages of ILC2s and Th9 cells with lower expression of GATA3, PU.1 and IRF4, reduced IL-5, IL-13, IL-9 and VIP production. The decrease in the expression of VIP-VPAC2 signalling pathway and percentages of VIP⁺ cells, VPAC2⁺CD90⁺ cells were observed after M-BYF treatment. The LD₅₀ value of M-BYF was higher than 90 g/kg.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

M-BYF alleviated experimental asthma by negatively regulating ILC2s and Th9 cells and the VIP-VPAC2 signalling pathway. These findings provide the theoretical basis for future research of M-BYF in asthma patient population.

Protective effect of the effective part of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees on PM2.5-induced lung injury in rats by modulating the NF-κB pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, a traditional Chinese herb, has been widely used in various Asian countries as a treatment for upper respiratory tract infections for centuries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Continuous inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may induce various respiratory diseases. This study elucidated the protective effect of the effective part of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (AEP) against PM_2.5-induced lung injury and detailed the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were orally administered 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), andrographolide (AG) (200 mg/kg) and AEP (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) once a day for 28 days. The rats were intratracheally instilled with PM_2.5 suspension (8 mg/kg) every other day beginning on the 24th day for a total of 3 times. On the 29th day, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to analyze the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total proteins (TP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Hematoxylin & eosin staining was conducted to evaluate the pathological changes in the lung tissues. The protein expression of NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining. Moreover, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and the phosphorylation of IκBα were analyzed by western blotting.

RESULTS

PM_2.5 exposure caused lung toxicity, which was characterized by pathological injury and increased levels of LDH, ACP, AKP and TP in BALF. Meanwhile, PM_2.5 exposure induced lung inflammatory response, including infiltration of inflammatory cells and increased levels of inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF. AEP treatment significantly ameliorated the PM_2.5-induced lung toxicity and the inflammatory response in rats. Moreover, AEP significantly inhibited the PM_2.5-induced upregulation of NF-κB p65 protein expression, phosphorylation of IκBα and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue. Compared to AG, AEP exhibited a better ability to alleviate PM_2.5-induced pathological damage and decrease the TP level in the BALF.

CONCLUSION

AEP could be used to improve PM_2.5-induced lung injury by modulating the NF-κB pathway, and multicomponent therapy with traditional Chinese medicine may be more effective than single-drug therapy.

Andrographolide and its derivatives: Current achievements and future perspectives

Natural product andrographolide isolated from the plant Andrographis paniculata shows a plethora of biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-fibrosis, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory and hypoglycemic activities. Based on extensive chemical structural modifications, a series of andrographolide derivatives with improved bioavailability and druggability has been developed. Moreover, greater understanding of their mechanisms of action at the molecular and cellular level has been thoroughly investigated. In this review, we give an outlook for the therapeutical potential of andrographolide and its derivatives in diverse diseases and highlighted the drug design, pharmacokinetic and mechanistic studies for the past ten years, together with a brief overview of the pharmacological effects. Notably, we focused to provide a critical enlightenment of the area of andrographolide and its derivatives with the intent of indicating the future perspectives, challenges and limitations. We believe that this review paper will benefit drug discovery where andrographolide was used as a template, shed light on the identification of drug targets for andrographolide and its analogs, as well as increase our knowledge for using them for therapeutic application, including the treatment for various forms of cancers.

The treatment of asthma using the Chinese Materia Medica

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Asthma is a costly global health problem that negatively influences the quality of life of patients. The Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) contains remedies that have been used for the treatment of asthma for millennia. This article strives to systematically summarize the current research progress so that more comprehensive examinations of various databases related to CMM anti-asthma drugs, can be performed, so as to sequentially provide effective basic data for development and application of anti-asthma drugs based on the CMM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research data published over the past 20 years for asthma treatment based on traditional CMM remedies were retrieved and collected from libraries and online databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, Spring Link, Web of Science, PubChem Compound, Wan Fang, CNKI, Baidu, and Google Scholar). Information was also added from classic CMM, literature, conference papers on classic herbal formulae, and dissertations (PhD or Masters) based on traditional Chinese medicine.

RESULTS

This review systematically summarizes the experimental studies on the treatment of asthma with CMM, covering the effective chemical components, typical asthma models, important mechanisms and traditional anti-asthma CMM formulae. The therapy value of the CMM for anti-asthma is clarified, and the original data and theoretical research foundation are provided for the development of new anti-asthmatic data and research for the CMM.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial progress against asthma has been made through relevant experimental research based on the CMM. These advances improved the theoretical basis of anti-asthma drugs for CMM and provided a theoretical basis for the application of a asthma treatment that is unique. By compiling these data, it is expected that the CMM will now contain a clearer mechanism of action and a greater amount of practical data that can be used for future anti-asthma drug research.

Epimedin C modulates the balance between Th9 cells and Treg cells through negative regulation of noncanonical NF-κB pathway and MAPKs activation to inhibit airway inflammation in the ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model

Allergic asthma is a common airway inflammatory disease and mainly caused by abnormal immune responses to allergens and viruses. The precise mechanisms of airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) are still not completely understood. CD4⁺ helper T cells (Th cells) serve as critical regulators of allergic immunity. The imbalance between T helper 9 (Th9) cells and forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells may contribute to airway inflammation in asthma. Epimedin C, a dominant compound isolated from Herba Epimedii, has shown anti-inflammatory effects and the immunoregulatory activity, such as increase of lymphocyte proliferation. However, the protective role of epimedin C in an experimental model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of OVA plus aluminum hydroxide (Alum) and subsequently challenged with an aerosol of 3% OVA in saline. Mice were treated with different concentrations of epimedin C (20 mg/kg/d, 40 mg/kg/d, 80 mg/kg/d) for 4 weeks. Experimental endpoints were evaluated via the analysis of AHR to acetyl-β-methacholine (Mch), differential inflammatory cell counts, concentrations of cytokines interleukin-9 (IL-9), IL-4 and IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum OVA-specific IgE level, as well as airway inflammation, mucus secretion and collagen deposition in mice. Mechanistically, we investigated the percentages of Th9 cells and Treg cells, as well as mRNA levels of IL-9 and transcription factor Foxp3 in lungs. Furthermore, the proteins expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family members p105/p50, RelA, p100/p52 and RelB, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK was detected. Epimedin C dose-dependently attenuated AHR, airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and collagen deposition in OVA-induced murine asthma model. The expression levels of IL-9, IL-4 and OVA-specific IgE were significantly decreased while IL-10 was increased by epimedin C. We further confirmed that epimedin C decreased the percentage of lung Th9 cells with lower mRNA expression of IL-9 and increased the percentage of lung Treg cells with higher mRNA expression of Foxp3. In addition, epimedin C dose-dependently decreased the protein levels of p52, RelB, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK which are pivotal to the development of Th9 cells and Treg cells. Collectively, epimedin C could inhibit pathophysiological features of asthma by reconstruction of the balance between Th9 cells and Treg cells through regulation of the noncanonical NF-κB p52/RelB pathway and MAPKs activation. These findings suggest epimedin C as a potential remedy for inflammatory airway diseases.

Plants derived therapeutic strategies targeting chronic respiratory diseases: Chemical and immunological perspective

The apparent predicament of the representative chemotherapy for managing respiratory distress calls for an obligatory deliberation for identifying the pharmaceuticals that effectively counter the contemporary intricacies associated with target disease. Multiple, complex regulatory pathways manifest chronic pulmonary disorders, which require chemotherapeutics that produce composite inhibitory effect. The cost effective natural product based molecules hold a high fervor to meet the prospects posed by current respiratory-distress therapy by sparing the tedious drug design and development archetypes, present a robust standing for the possible replacement of the fading practice of poly-pharmacology, and ensure the subversion of a potential disease relapse. This study summarizes the experimental evidences on natural products moieties and their components that illustrates therapeutic efficacy on respiratory disorders.

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Plant derived therapeutics for managing chronic respiratory disorders.

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Activity of natural product based molecules on key regulatory pathways of COPD.

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Preclinical evidence for the efficacy of natural product moieties.

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Clinical significance of plant derived molecules in pulmonary distress.

Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update

Traditionally, Andrographis paniculata has been used as an herbal remedy for lung infection treatments. Its leaves contain a diterpenoid labdane called andrographolide responsible for a wide range of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. This manuscript is a brief review of the antioxidant mechanisms and the regulation of the Nrf2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) signaling pathway by andrographolide.