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Leonurus sibiricus root extracts decrease airway remodeling markers expression in fibroblasts.
J Wieczfinska1, P Sitarek2, T Kowalczyk3
1Department of Immunopathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|June 21, 2020
Summary
Transformed Leonurus sibiricus root extract, particularly with AtPAP1 overexpression, shows potential in combating airway remodeling in asthma. This extract reduced key inflammatory markers, suggesting a role for plant-derived compounds in lung disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Bronchial asthma involves airway inflammation and remodeling, a complex process crucial for disease progression.
- Controlling airway remodeling is essential for managing asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.
- Plants produce secondary metabolites with potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-remodeling properties of extracts from transformed and transgenic Leonurus sibiricus roots.
- Specifically, to assess the effects of an extract overexpressing the transcriptional factor AtPAP1 (AtPAP1 TR) on fibroblast cell lines.
- To investigate the impact of these extracts on markers of airway remodeling under normal and rhinovirus-induced conditions.
Main Methods:
- Two human fibroblast cell lines (WI-38 and HFL1) were treated with transformed L. sibiricus root extract (TR) and AtPAP1 TR extract.
- Airway remodeling conditions were induced using rhinovirus 16 (HRV16).
- Expression levels of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), arginase I, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were quantified using qPCR and immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- AtPAP1 TR extract significantly decreased the expression of arginase I and MMP-9.
- No significant effect was observed on TIMP-1 or TGF-β mRNA expression by the AtPAP1 TR extract alone.
- The AtPAP1 TR extract inhibited HRV16-induced expression of arginase I, MMP-9, and TGF-β in both cell lines (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Transformed L. sibiricus root extract, particularly AtPAP1 TR, demonstrates anti-remodeling properties relevant to asthma.
- The observed effects may be attributed to increased phenolic acids like chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid.
- Biotechnology offers a valuable approach for discovering and developing plant-derived medicinal compounds for respiratory diseases.
