Novel glutathione-containing dry-yeast extracts inhibit eosinophilia and mucus overproduction in a murine model of asthma

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of nano sized cubosomal dispersion loaded with Ruta graveolens extracts as a novel approach to reduce asthma-mediated lung inflammation

Asthma is a chronic disease affecting people of all ages. Asthma medications are associated with adverse effects restricting their long-term usage, demanding newer alternative therapies. This study aimed to investigate the anti-asthmatic properties of Ruta graveolens extract and its prepared nano-cubosomal dispersion (Ruta-ND). Firstly, the R. graveolens methanolic extract exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BEAS-2B cells. To ensure best bioavailability and hence best cellular uptake, R. graveolens extract was loaded in nano-cubosomal dispersion (ND). Then, the anti-asthmatic effects of Ruta extract and ND were simultaneously evaluated in rats' model with ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma. R. graveolens extract and Ruta-ND subsided asthma score and improved lung function by restoring FEV1/FVC ratio to the expected values in control rats. Also, it showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities manifested by lowering levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-4, IL-7, TGF-β, and Ig-E, and increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and INF-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our research findings also indicate autophagy induction and apoptosis inhibition by Ruta extract and Ruta-ND. Finally, the HPLC MS/MS phytochemical profiling of R. graveolens extract evident production of various alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and other phenolics with reported pharmacological properties corresponding to/emphasize our study findings. In conclusion, R. graveolens exhibited promise in managing Ova-induced allergic asthma and could be developed as an alternative anti-allergic asthma drug.

Asthma and Post-Asthmatic Fibrosis: A Search for New Promising Molecular Markers of Transition from Acute Inflammation to Pulmonary Fibrosis

Asthma is a heterogeneous pulmonary disorder, the progression and chronization of which leads to airway remodeling and fibrogenesis. To understand the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis development, key genes forming the asthma-specific regulome and involved in lung fibrosis formation were revealed using a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The bioinformatics data were validated using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma and post-asthmatic fibrosis. The performed analysis revealed a range of well-known pro-fibrotic markers (Cat, Ccl2, Ccl4, Ccr2, Col1a1, Cxcl12, Igf1, Muc5ac/Muc5b, Spp1, Timp1) and a set of novel genes (C3, C3ar1, Col4a1, Col4a2, Cyp2e1, Fn1, Thbs1, Tyrobp) mediating fibrotic changes in lungs already at the stage of acute/subacute asthma-driven inflammation. The validation of genes related to non-allergic bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis on asthmatic/fibrotic lungs allowed us to identify new universal genes (Col4a1 and Col4a2) associated with the development of lung fibrosis regardless of its etiology. The similarities revealed in the expression profiles of nodal fibrotic genes between asthma-driven fibrosis in mice and nascent idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in humans suggest a tight association of identified genes with the early stages of airway remodeling and can be considered as promising predictors and early markers of pulmonary fibrosis.

L-carnitine alleviated acute lung injuries induced by potassium dichromate in rats: involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

The activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway regulates cellular antioxidant stress and exerts anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects against acute lung injury (ALI). The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic role of L-carnitine (LC) against potassium dichromate (PD) - induced acute lung injury in adult male albino rats via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. For this purpose, forty rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups (8 rats each). The normal group received intranasal (i.n.) saline, while the ALI group received intranasal instillation of PD as a single dose of 2 mg/kg. The 3d - 5th groups received PD then after 24 h administered L-carnitine (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg; orally) for 3 consecutive days. The therapeutic effect of L-carnitine was evaluated by assessment of serum levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) along with measurement of lung contents of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), protein kinase B (AKT), Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 enzyme (NQO1) and glutathione cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) expression. Post-treatment with L-carnitine effectively increased the levels of GSH and AKT, elevated Nrf2 and its target genes and decreased the levels of MDA and TGFβ1 in comparison with PD control rats. Additionally, L-carnitine effectively reduced the number of goblet cell, inhibited the mucus formation in bronchioles and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate as well as alleviated the destruction of alveolar walls, and the congestion of blood vessels in lung tissue induced by PD. Our findings showed that L-carnitine may be a promising therapeutic agent against PD-induced acute lung injury.

Aesculetin Inhibits Airway Thickening and Mucus Overproduction Induced by Urban Particulate Matter through Blocking Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Involving TLR4 and EGFR

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid and liquid air pollutant particles suspended in the air, varying in composition, size, and physical features. PM is the most harmful form of air pollution due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and blood streams, causing diverse respiratory diseases. Aesculetin, a coumarin derivative present in the Sancho tree and chicory, is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the vascular and immune system. However, its effect on PM-induced airway thickening and mucus hypersecretion is poorly understood. The current study examined whether naturally-occurring aesculetin inhibited airway thickening and mucus hypersecretion caused by urban PM₁₀ (uPM₁₀, particles less than 10 μm). Mice were orally administrated with 10 mg/kg aesculetin and exposed to 6 μg/mL uPM₁₀ for 8 weeks. To further explore the mechanism(s) involved in inhibition of uPM₁₀-induced mucus hypersecretion by aesculetin, bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were treated with 1–20 µM aesculetin in the presence of 2 μg/mL uPM₁₀. Oral administration of aesculetin attenuated collagen accumulation and mucus hypersecretion in the small airways inflamed by uPM₁₀. In addition, aesculetin inhibited uPM₁₀-evoked inflammation and oxidant production in lung tissues. Further, aesculetin accompanied the inhibition of induction of bronchial epithelial toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) elevated by uPM₁₀. The inhibition of TLR4 and EGFR accompanied bronchial mucus hypersecretion in the presence of uPM₁₀. Oxidative stress was responsible for the epithelial induction of TLR4 and EGFR, which was disrupted by aesculetin. These results demonstrated that aesculetin ameliorated airway thickening and mucus hypersecretion by uPM₁₀ inhalation by inhibiting pulmonary inflammation via oxidative stress-stimulated TLR4 and EGFR. Therefore, aesculetin may be a promising agent for treating airway mucosa-associated disorders elicited by urban coarse particulates.

Probiotic mixtures with aerobic constituent promoted the recovery of multi-barriers in DSS-induced chronic colitis

AIMS

Gut microbiota has been closely linked to the mucosal immune and been regarded as a reliable target for intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic roles of probiotic mixtures of Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis with (quadruple probiotics, P-qua) or without (triple probiotics, P-tri) aerobic Bacillus cereus in colitis, focusing on the multiple barrier functions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice. The probiotic mixtures P-qua or P-tri was gavage administrated respectively, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a positive control. The intestinal inflammation and functions of multiple barriers were assessed, including the mucus barrier, epithelial barrier and endothelial barrier known as gut-vascular barrier (GVB). Altered composition and diversity in gut microbiota were observed via sequencing analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

Both P-qua and P-tri relieved the intestinal inflammation and improved the functions of multiple barriers with increased integrity of mucous layer, enhanced transepithelial electrical resistance, declined epithelial and endothelial permeability to macromolecules in DSS-colitis. Aerobe-contained P-qua revealed a more active role in barrier recovering relative to P-tri, while FMT as a positive control seemed to get better results than pure probiotics. Indeed, P-qua was effective in rebuilding the structure and diversity of gut flora in DSS-colitis, especially increased abundance of Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides.

SIGNIFICANCE

Aerobe-contained P-qua was a powerful adjuvant therapy for chronic colitis, via restoring the intestinal microflora and recovering the multi-barriers in the inflamed gut.

Butylphthalide ameliorates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion via NF-κB in a murine asthma model

Butylphthalide (NBP) is a phthalide compound contained in Angelicae Sinensis Radix which is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of NBP on airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and their possible mechanism in asthma mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for establishment of asthma model and then treated with NBP during day 22-77. The pulmonary function of the mice was determined, and the pathology of lung tissue and goblet cell hyperplasia were observed through analyzing inflammation scores and goblet cell percentage, respectively. Cytokine IL-4, IL-8, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total immunogloblin E (T-IgE) and OVA-specific IgE in serum were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of Mucin 5AC (Muc5ac) and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results show that 50 mg/kg NBP significantly reduced OVA-induced increase in inflammation scoring, goblet cell percentage and mucus secretion of airway tissue, and improved the pulmonary function. NBP could also decrease IL-4, IL-8 IL-13, and TNF-α in BALF and T-IgE and OVA-specific IgE in serum. The expression of Muc5ac and NF-κB in lung tissue was significantly down-regulated after NBP treatment. This study suggested that NBP may effectively inhibit airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in asthma by modulating NF-κB activation.

Dried Yeast Extracts Curtails Pulmonary Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Tissue Destruction in a Model of Experimental Emphysema

Pulmonary emphysema is characterized by a loss of alveolar integrity due to prolonged cigarette smoking and inhaled irritants. Dried yeast extracts (YE) are employed as food additives, savory flavorings, or creation of umami taste sensations. Despite being rich in nutrition, their application as nutraceuticals and functional foods is not investigated much and little is known about the inhibition of pulmonary emphysema. This study examined whether YE ameliorated pulmonary emphysema in mice is evoked by cigarette smoke (CS) and ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were orally administrated with 25–100 mg/kg YE for 8 weeks. Alveolar epithelial A549 cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide or CS extracts (CSE) were supplemented with 10–100 µg/mL YE. Oral YE administration reduced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid leukocytosis in CS-/OVA-exposed mice. YE reduced induction of inflammatory mediators and MMP-12, and diminished reactive oxygen species production and emphysematous alterations in CS-challenged airways. The YE treatment blunted bax/bcl-2 ratio and activation of p53 and caspases in CS-exposed lungs. Apoptotic death was dampened in CSE-loaded YE-supplemented A549 cells. YE curtailed tissue levels of MMP-12 in inflammatory OVA-exposed lungs. YE abrogated the secretion of TNF-α and MCP-1 through blocking NF-κB signaling in endotoxin-loaded A549 cells. Thus, the antioxidant YE may therapeutically ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammatory tissue destruction in emphysematous diseases.