Inner Shell of the Chestnut (Castanea crenatta) Suppresses Inflammatory Responses in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma Mouse Model

Green tea extract suppresses airway inflammation via oxidative stress-driven MAPKs/MMP-9 signaling in asthmatic mice and human airway epithelial cells

Introduction

The anti-inflammatory effect of green tea extract (GTE) has been confirmed in asthmatic mice, however, the pharmacological mechanism is not fully elucidated.

Methods

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of GTE in asthma and identify specific pathways, murine model of allergic asthma was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and the challenge for 4 weeks, with oral treatment using GTE and dexamethasone (DEX). Inflammatory cell counts, cytokines, OVA-specific IgE, airway hyperreactivity, and antioxidant markers in the lung were evaluated. Also, pulmonary histopathological analysis and western blotting were performed. In vitro, we established the model by stimulating the human airway epithelial cell line NCI-H292 using lipopolysaccharide, and treating with GTE and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) inhibitors.

Results

The GTE100 and GTE400 groups showed a decrease in airway hyperresponsiveness and the number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to the OVA group. GTE treatment also reduced interleukin (IL)-13, IL-5, and IL-4 levels in the BALF, and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in the serum compared to those in the OVA group. GTE treatment decreased OVA-induced mucus secretion and airway inflammation. In addition, GTE suppressed the oxidative stress, and phosphorylation of MAPKs, which generally occurs after exposure to OVA. GTE administration also reduced matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and protein levels.

Conclusion

GTE effectively inhibited asthmatic respiratory inflammation and mucus hyperproduction induced by OVA inhalation. These results suggest that GTE has the potential to be used for the treatment of asthma.

UHPLC/MS-based metabolomics of asthmatic mice reveals metabolic changes in group 2 innate lymphoid cells

Helper Th2-type immune responses are essential in allergic airway diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. Recent studies have indicated that group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of asthma. However, the metabolic profile of ILC2s and their regulatory mechanisms in asthma remain unclear. Therefore, we established two asthma mouse models: an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model and an IL-33-induced asthma model. We then used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) to conduct high-throughput untargeted metabolic analysis of ILC2s in the lung tissues of the asthma models. The identified metabolites primarily consisted of lipids, lipid-like molecules, benzene, organic acids, derivatives, and organic oxidation compounds. Specifically, 34 differentially accumulated metabolites influenced the metabolic profiles of the control and OVA-induced asthma model groups. Moreover, the accumulation of 39 metabolites significantly differed between the Interleukin 33 (IL-33) and control groups. These differentially accumulated metabolites were mainly involved in pathways such as sphingolipid, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid metabolism. This metabolomic study revealed, for the first time, the key metabolites and metabolic pathways of ILC2s, revealing new aspects of cellular metabolism in the context of airway inflammation. These findings not only contribute to unraveling the pathogenesis of asthma but also provide a crucial theoretical foundation for the future development of therapeutic strategies targeting ILC2s.

Korean Red Ginseng suppresses emphysematous lesions induced by cigarette smoke condensate through inhibition of macrophage-driven apoptosis pathways

Background

Cigarette smoke is generally accepted as a major contributor to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by emphysematous lesions. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) against cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced emphysema.

Methods

Mice were instilled with 50 mg/kg of CSC intranasally once a week for 4 weeks, KRG was administered to the mice once daily for 4 weeks at doses of 100 or 300 mg/kg, and dexamethasone (DEX, positive control) was administered to the mice once daily for 2 weeks at 3 mg/kg.

Results

KRG markedly decreased the macrophage population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and reduced emphysematous lesions in the lung tissues. KRG suppressed CSC-induced apoptosis as revealed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining and Caspase 3 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, KRG effectively inhibited CSC-mediated activation of Bcl-2-associated X protein/Caspase 3 signaling, followed by the induction of cell survival signaling, including vascular endothelial growth factor/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B in vivo and in vitro. The DEX group also showed similar improved results in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

Taken together, KRG effectively inhibits macrophage-mediated emphysema induced by CSC exposure, possibly via the suppression of pro-apoptotic signaling, which results in cell survival pathway activation. These findings suggest that KRG has therapeutic potential for the prevention of emphysema in COPD patients.

Dietary Polyphenols-Natural Bioactive Compounds with Potential for Preventing and Treating Some Allergic Conditions

In light of the constantly increasing prevalence of allergic diseases, changes in dietary patterns have been suggested as a plausible environmental explanation for the development and progression of these diseases. Nowadays, much attention has been paid to the development of dietary interventions using natural substances with anti-allergy activities. In this respect, dietary polyphenols have been studied extensively as one of the most prominent natural bioactive compounds with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. This review aims to discuss the mechanisms underlying the potential anti-allergic actions of polyphenols related to their ability to reduce protein allergenicity, regulate immune response, and gut microbiome modification; however, these issues need to be elucidated in detail. This paper reviews the current evidence from experimental and clinical studies confirming that various polyphenols such as quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, catechins, and many others could attenuate allergic inflammation, alleviate the symptoms of food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, and prevent the development of allergic immune response. Conclusively, dietary polyphenols are endowed with great anti-allergic potential and therefore could be used either for preventive approaches or therapeutic interventions in relation to allergic diseases. Limitations in studying and widespread use of polyphenols as well as future research directions are also discussed.

Exploring plant polyphenols as anti-allergic functional products to manage the growing incidence of food allergy

The active substances derived from plants have received increasing attention owing to their wide range of pharmacological applications, including anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-viral, and anti-oxidative activities. The allergy epidemic is a growing global public health problem that threatens human health and safety. Polyphenols from plants have significant anti-allergic effects and are an important source of anti-allergic drug research and development. Here, we describe recent advances in the anti-allergic efficacy of plant polyphenols, including their comprehensive effects on cellular or animal models. The current issues and directions for future development in this field are discussed to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of these active substances as anti-allergic products.

Chinese chestnut shell polyphenol extract regulates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to alleviate high-fat diet-induced, leptin-resistant obesity in mice

Chinese chestnut shell is a by-product of chestnut food processing and is rich in polyphenols. This study sought to investigate the effect of chestnut shell polyphenol extract (CSP) on weight loss and lipid reduction in a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD)-induced murine obesity model. CSP (300 mg per kg body weight) was administered intragastrically daily. AG490, a JAK2 protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was also intraperitoneally injected. The results showed that an HFD induced leptin resistance (LR). Compared to corresponding values in the HFD group, CSP treatment improved blood lipid levels, weight, and leptin levels in obese mice (p < 0.01). Additionally, CSP treatment enhanced enzyme activity by improving total antioxidant capacity, attenuating oxidative stress, and reducing fat droplet accumulation and inflammation in the liver, epididymal, and retroperitoneal adipose tissue. CSP also activated the LEPR-JAK2/STAT3-PTP1B-SOCS-3 signal transduction pathway in hypothalamus tissue and improved LR while regulating the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism (PPARγ, FAS, and LPL) in white adipose tissue in the retroperitoneal cavity. However, the amelioration of lipid metabolism by CSP was dependent on JAK2. Molecular docking simulation further demonstrated the strong binding affinity of procyanidin C1 (-10.3983297 kcal mol^-1) and procyanidin B1 (-9.12686729 kcal mol^-1) to the crystal structure of JAK2. These results suggest that CSP may be used to reduce HFD-induced obesity with potential application as a functional food additive.

Protective Effects of Chestnut (Castanea crenata) Inner Shell Extract in Macrophage-Driven Emphysematous Lesion Induced by Cigarette Smoke Condensate

Chestnut (Castanea crenata) inner shell extract (CIE), a curative herb in Korea, has diverse pharmacological effects against various diseases including pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its molecular mechanisms of anti-emphysematous effects are still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we elucidate the efficacy of CIE against emphysematous lesion progression in a cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-instilled mice and CSC-stimulated H292 cell line. The mice are administered CSC via intranasal instillation at 7-day intervals for 1 month after 1 week of pretreatment with CIE. CIE (100 or 300 mg/kg) is administered by oral gavage for 1 month. CIE decreased the macrophage count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the severity of emphysematous lesions in lung tissue. Additionally, CIE suppressed the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor kappa B signal pathway and thereby downregulated matrix metalloprotease-9 expression, which was confirmed in CSC-stimulated H292 cells. Thus, CIE effectively inhibited CSC-induced macrophage-driven emphysema progression in airways; this inhibition was associated with the suppression of protease-antiprotease imbalance. Our results propose that CIE has the potential for the alleviation of COPD.

Leonurine attenuates OVA-induced asthma via p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

Leonurine (Leo) is a natural alkaloid extracted from Herba leonuri, which has many biological activities. However, whether leonurine has a protective effect on asthma remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of leonurine on asthma. We evaluated its therapeutic effect and related signal transduction in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and OVA-induced asthmatic mice. In addition, we used network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to verify the experimental results. In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, leonurine significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and IL-6, andinhibited the activation of p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. In OVA-induced asthmatic mice, leonurine decreased the number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), particularly neutrophils and eosinophils. Leonurine also reduced the contents of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the BALF and OVA-IgE in the serum. Leonurine remarkly improved OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and significantly inhibited mucus overproduction. In addition, leonurine inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. Network pharmacology suggested that p38 MAPKα was a potential target of leonurine in the treatment of asthma. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that leonurine could stably bind to p38 MAPKα protein. In summary, leonurine attenuated asthma by regulating p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.