Identification of Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Anti-Asthmatic Effects of Descurainia sophia Seed Extract Based on a Multi-Omics Approach

Abstract

Asthma, a heterogeneous disease of the airways, is common around the world, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between DNA methylation and gene expression in relation to this disease. The seeds of Descurainia sophia are traditionally used to treat coughs, asthma and edema, but their effects on asthma have not been investigated by multi-omics analysis. We undertook this study to assess the epigenetic effects of ethanol extract of D. sophia seeds (DSE) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model of asthma. We profiled genome-wide DNA methylation by Methyl-seq and characterized the transcriptome by RNA-seq in mouse lung tissue under three conditions: saline control, OVA-induced, and DSE-treated. In total, 1995 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified in association with anti-asthmatic effects, most in promoter and coding regions. Among them, 25 DMRs were negatively correlated with the expression of the corresponding 18 genes. These genes were related to development of the lung, respiratory tube and respiratory system. Our findings provide insights into the anti-asthmatic effects of D. sophia seeds and reveal the epigenetic targets of anti-inflammatory processes in mice.

Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of actions of Descurainia sophia

“…The mechanisms of therapeutic effects of DS are summarized in Figure 2. A study that examined the effects of EEDS in mouse model asthma showed that EEDS decreased infiltration of immune cells into the airways [2]. This study revealed that EEDS decrease infiltration of immune cells around the airway [2].…”

“…The type-2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are important in the initiation and progression of asthma [16]. The regulation of the methylation of genes related to these cytokines plays an essential role in asthma [2].…”

“…Descurainia sophia (DS) L. Webb ex Prantl belongs to the Cruciferae (Brassiaceae) family [2]. The DS plant can be found growing in temperate climate including the United States, Southern Africa, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand [2]. DS has been used in herbal medicine in China, India and many other countries around the world.…”

Toxicological assessments of an ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia and Peucedanum praeruptorum: Subacute oral toxicity and genotoxicity studies

“…Among the various traditional medicinal herbs, seeds of D. sophia or roots of P. praeruptorum have been shown to possess similar biological activities such as anticancer, antiasthma and anti‐inflammatory properties (Baek et al, ; Fong et al, ; Khan & Wang, ; Kim et al, ; Kim, Kim et al, ; Yu et al, ). Moreover, in recent years, it has been reported that D. sophia and P. praeruptorum have common benefits on physiological and biochemical processes and play an important role in antitumor effects (Fong et al, ; Kim et al, ; Lee et al, ; Lee et al, ; Liang et al, ; Park et al, ).…”

“…Its seeds have been traditionally used to relieve cough, prevent asthma, promote urination, and treat cancer and cardiac disease (Khan & Wang, ; Mohamed & Mahrous, ; Nimrouzi & Zarshenas, ). In recent years, the results from pharmacological studies of D. sophia , including ours, are focused on anti‐inflammatory, antitumor and antiasthma activities (Baek et al, ; Kim, Lee, & Kim, ; Kim, Seo et al, ; Lee et al, ; Park, Lim, Bang, & Kim, ). P. praeruptorum is a well‐known and popular medicinal herb in China and Korea.…”