<p>Total extract of Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi decoction inhibits pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro</p>

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a common clinical disease, which results in serious respiratory impairment. Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Decoction (XJXBCQ) is a traditional prescription commonly used in treating lung diseases. We investigate the effect of XJXBCQ against PF and its mechanism via the regulation of TGF-β1/Smad in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methods: XJXBCQ was first extracted and probed for chemical characterization. An PF model in vitro and in vivo was established in rats and in MRC-5 cells. In bleomycin (BLM)-induced rats model, lung function such as peak expiratory flow (PEF), minute ventilation (MV) and hydroxyproline (HYP) were measured; histopathological changes of lung tissue and TGF-β1 in peripheral blood of rats were detected. TGF-β receptor, Smad2 and its phosphorylation expression were tested by Western blot assay in rats model. Then the effects of XJXBCQ on TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway were assessed by Western blot analysis in vitro, and IL-17A and IL-25 levels were evaluated by ELISA in vivo. Results: Our results showed that XJXBCQ significantly enhanced the lung functions, such as PEF, MV and HYP, by reducing the expression level of lung inflammatory cytokine and the content and fibrosis of lung collagen. Moreover, XJXBCQ effectively inhibited TGF-β1, Smad2 and its phosphorylation expression, and the activation of Smad7 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, XJXBCQ had an inhibitory effect on the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (Fn) in vitro and downregulated IL-17A and IL-25 by inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Further, XJXBCQ effectively inhibitied ventilation volume and peak expiratory content remodeling and hydroxyproline content through inhibition of TGF-βRⅡ, Smad2 and its phosphorylation expression, and activation of Smad7 in vivo. Conclusion: XJXBCQ extract had an anti-PF effect in vitro and in vivo, which could be attributed to the inhibition of the expression of p-Smad2 and increase in the expression of Smad7 by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad activity.

Schisandra Inhibit Bleomycin-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats via Suppressing M2 Macrophage Polarization

“…In recent years, TCM and their formulations have been shown to exhibit great efficacy in treating lung fibrosis with good prospects for application [20][21][22][23]. Schisandra, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.)…”

Tiaoshen Tongluo Attenuates Fibrosis by Modulating the TGF-β1/Smad Pathway in Endometrial Stromal Cells and a Rat Model of Intrauterine Adhesion

“…Similarly, the traditional Chinese medicine, hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), significantly reduced carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis through decreased TGF- β 1 expression and phosphorylation of Smad4 [ 17 ]. The extract of Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi decoction was found to alleviate a bleomycin-induced model of pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting TGF- β 1 and Smad2 expression, while increasing the activation of Smad7 [ 14 ]. Likewise, Qishen granules were found to attenuate cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF- β /Smad3 pathway [ 15 ].…”

“…Traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulae are characterized by a holistic concept and generations of development [12]. Several traditional herbal medicines used to treat fibrosis have been found to function by subduing the TGF-β1/Smad pathway [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Different Traditional Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Adults

“…The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and was first documented by the Sheng Nong Classic of Materia Medica. Currently, traditional Herbal Medicines (THM) are widely used in cardio-cerebrovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, and respiratory disorders (Dai et al, 2018;Jiang et al, 2019;Kong et al, 2019;Qin et al, 2019;Gao et al, 2020;Liu et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2020). Several studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of THM in treating GERD (Ling et al, 2015;Dai et al, 2017;Shih et al, 2019).…”