Protective Effect of Lonicera japonica on PM2.5-Induced Pulmonary Damage in BALB/c Mice via the TGF-β and NF-κB Pathway

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the protective effect of an extract of Lonicera japonica against particulate-matter (PM)2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The compounds with physiological activity were identified as shanzhiside, secologanoside, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, secologanic acid, secoxyloganin, quercetin pentoside, and dicaffeoyl quinic acids (DCQA), including 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, 4,5-DCQA, and 1,4-DCQA using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MSE). The extract of Lonicera japonica reduced cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammation in A549 cells. The extract of Lonicera japonica decreased serum T cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and total T helper 2 (Th2) cells, and immunoglobulins, including immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE), in PM2.5-induced BALB/c mice. The extract of Lonicera japonica protected the pulmonary antioxidant system by regulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, it ameliorated mitochondrial function by regulating the production of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP contents. Moreover, the extract of Lonicera japonica exhibited a protective activity of apoptosis, fibrosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in lung tissues. This study suggests that the extract of Lonicera japonica might be a potential material to improve PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis.

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant properties of mixtures containing Platycodonis Radix, Codonopsidis Radix, Paeoniae Radix, and Lonicerae Flos

“…Finally, Lonicerae Flos refers to the bud or flower of L. japonica that has just begun flowering. The essential constituents of Lonicerae Flos include secologanin, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid [12,13]. Although used for centuries already, there is still scant data about these plants as well as the effects of combining them.…”

Rosavin Alleviates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injure by Modulating the TLR-4/NF-κB/MAPK Singnaling Pathways

“…We used transcriptomics analysis to determine that the TLR-4 signaling pathway has an important molecular basis with rosavin-mediated inflammation. TLR-4 binding to LPS activates multiple signaling pathways [40,41]: MyD88 activates IκB kinase (IKK) through a signaling cascade, followed by the phosphorylation of the NF-κB inhibitor (IκB), the shedding of IκB from NF-κB, and the activation of NF-κB from its inhibitory state, which rapidly trans-locates to the nucleus to bind to the target protein and rapidly up-regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 [42,43]. Jinping Liang [44] established a mouse model of ALI by treating mice with LPS via a non-exposed tracheal drip.…”

Powdered green tea improved particulate matter (PM)2.5 exposure-induced cardiac cytotoxicity via TLR pathway in BALB/c mice

“…causes an in ammatory response in the heart by interaction with TLRs and NF-κB signal [30]. Moreover, in previous studies, it was con rmed that PM 2.5 could produce various in ammatory factors [33][34][35].…”