Efficacy of silymarin in treatment of COPD via P47phox signaling pathway

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. To investigate effect of silymarin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The serum samples of 20 healthy controls, 20 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and 20 patients with stable COPD were collected. LPS and smoking were used to induce COPD mouse model. Our results showed that in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, O2-level release from peripheral blood neutrophils were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 in predicted value, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and arterial partial pressure (PaO2). (r=-0.898, -0.878, -874, -0.890, all P<0.01). Compared with that in the control group, the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase p47phox factor and peripheral blood neutrophil membrane protein in the stable COPD group and the acute exacerbation COPD group were significantly stronger. Silymarin can inhibit the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In conclusion, silymarin reduces oxidative stress in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells, thus decreasing the oxidative stress in COPD patients