Cryptotympana pustulata Extract and Its Main Active Component, Oleic Acid, Inhibit Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation through Inhibition of Th2/GATA-3 and Interleukin-17/RORγt Signaling Pathways in Asthmatic Mice

Abstract

Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of Cryptotympana pustulata, has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianaphylactic activities. The major bioactive compounds include oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. However, the precise therapeutic mechanisms underlying its action in asthma remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the antiasthmatic effects of CP in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model. CP and OA inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and production of interleukin (IL)7 and Th2 cytokines (IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-specific imunoglobin E (IgE) in the serum. The gene expression of IL-5, IL-13, CCR3, MUC5AC, and COX-2 was attenuated in lung tissues. CP and OA might inhibit the nuclear translocation of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) via the upregulation of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), thereby preventing the activation of GATA-3 and RORγt. In the in vitro experiment, a similar result was observed for Th2 and GATA-3. These results suggest that CP has the potential for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the GATA-3/Th2 and IL-17/RORγt signaling pathways.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cicadidae Periostracum Extract and Oleic Acid through Inhibiting Inflammatory Chemokines Using PCR Arrays in LPS-Induced Lung inflammation In Vitro

“…Previously, our group reported that OA accounts for a relatively large proportion of total fatty acids in the ethanol extract of CP [ 7 ]. The data from our previous study are shown in Table S1 and Figure S1 .…”

“…Our results show that CP and OA are potential chemokine-based therapeutic substances for treating lung and airway inflammation, and our findings could lay the groundwork for chemokine-based therapies in lung and airway inflammation if replicated in further animal models. We suggest that CP and OA can be utilized to apply chemokine-based anti-asthmatic therapies, given that our group’s previous study showed the efficacies of CP and OA in asthmatic mice [ 7 ].…”

“…Various pharmacological studies on CP have shown its diverse biological properties, such as neuroprotective [ 3 ]; immunomodulatory [ 4 ]; anti-fibrosis [ 1 ]; hypothermic, sedative, and anti-convulsive [ 5 ]; anti-oxidative [ 6 ]; and anti-inflammatory [ 2 , 4 , 6 ] effects. CP is predominantly composed of proteins and chitin and a small number of minerals, lipids, and other constituents [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]. Among the numerous components that make up a small proportion of CP, oleic acid (OA) accounts for a relatively large proportion of the total fatty acids in the ethanol extract of CP, which was previously reported by our group [ 7 ].…”

“…CP is predominantly composed of proteins and chitin and a small number of minerals, lipids, and other constituents [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]. Among the numerous components that make up a small proportion of CP, oleic acid (OA) accounts for a relatively large proportion of the total fatty acids in the ethanol extract of CP, which was previously reported by our group [ 7 ]. OA is a monounsaturated and non-essential fatty acid and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] and anti-tumor [ 13 ] activities.…”

“…OA is a monounsaturated and non-essential fatty acid and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] and anti-tumor [ 13 ] activities. Although the role of OA in immune responses is still controversial [ 9 , 10 ], previously, our group demonstrated the anti-asthmatic effects of CP and OA in OVA-induced asthmatic mouse models [ 7 ].…”