<p><em>Lycium barbarum</em> Polysaccharide Inhibited Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 in COPD Patients</p>

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying COPD remain largely unknown. Objective: The current study was designed to explore serum concentration of hypoxiainducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in stable COPD patients and the potential effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on HIF-1α protein expression. Methods: Serum HIF-1α was quantified by ELISA in 102 stable COPD patients before and after 2-week orally taken LBP (100 mL/time, twice daily, 5-15 mg/mL). Correlation of serum LBP and lung function (FEV1%) or blood gas (PO 2 and PCO 2) was also analyzed. As a control, 105 healthy subjects were also enrolled into this study. Results: Serum concentration of HIF-1α was significantly higher in the stable COPD patients (37.34 ± 7.20 pg/mL) than that in the healthy subjects (29.55 ± 9.66 pg/mL, P<0.001). Oral administration of LBP (5 mg/mL, 100 mL, twice daily for 2 weeks) not only relieved COPD symptoms but also significantly reduced serum HIF-1α concentration (36.94 ± 9.23 vs 30.49 ± 6.42 pg/mL, P<0.05). In addition, level of serum HIF-1α concentration was significantly correlated with PCO 2 (r = 0.283, P<0.001), but negatively and significantly correlated with PO 2 (r = −0.490, P=0.005) or FEV1%(r = −0.420, P=0.018). Conclusion: These findings suggested that activation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of COPD and that stabilization of serum HIF-1α concentration by LBP might benefit the stable COPD patients.

Gou Qi Zi inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

“…In recent years, natural bioactive compounds have attracted extensive attention as anticancer drugs because of their high therapeutic value and low systemic toxicity ( 39 ). For example, GQZ was reported to have therapeutic effects on kidney injury, lung injury and aging related diseases ( 14 , 40 , 41 ). GQZ extract enhanced the radiation of Lewis lung cancer acute hypoxic cells, although the relevant active ingredient and its mechanism of action have not yet been clearly determined ( 42 ).…”

“…The components of LB can treat a variety of lung related diseases. For example, lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) can alleviate the symptoms of dyspnea in patients with stable COPD by reducing hypoxia-inducible factor 1- α (HIF-1α) ( 14 ), and can improve symptoms of allergic asthma by reducing lung lesions, improving airway inflammation and regulating intestinal flora ( 15 ). In addition, the combination of LBP and Lak/IL-2 has been found to prolong the life span and improve the quality of life of patients with lung cancer ( 16 ).…”

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is a driving mechanism linking chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to lung cancer

“…Interestingly, multiple conditions, such as cancer, aging, fatigue, colitis, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and glaucoma, have been proven to benefit from LBP (118). Chen et al (119) demonstrated that oral LBP (5 mg/mL, 100 mL twice daily for 2 weeks) improved COPD symptoms and significantly decreased blood HIF-1a levels. In this study, oral LBP elicited moderate adverse effects, including constipation, dry mouth, inflamed gums, and gastrointestinal reactions.…”