Saponin attenuates diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced MUC5AC expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation via TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB signaling pathway in airway epithelium and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice

Sooyeon Jo; Hyung Gyun Na; Yoon Seok Choi; Chang Hoon Bae; Si-Youn Song; Yong-Dae Kim

Journal of Ginseng Research (Nov 2022)

Saponin attenuates diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced MUC5AC expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation via TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB signaling pathway in airway epithelium and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice

Sooyeon Jo,
Hyung Gyun Na,
Yoon Seok Choi,
Chang Hoon Bae,
Si-Youn Song,
Yong-Dae Kim

Affiliations

Sooyeon Jo: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Hyung Gyun Na: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Yoon Seok Choi: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Chang Hoon Bae: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Si-Youn Song: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Yong-Dae Kim: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Regional Center for Respiratory Diseases, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415, Republic of Korea.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 46, no. 6
pp. 801 – 808

Abstract

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Background: Diesel exhaust particle (DEP) is a harmful kind of particulate matter known to exacerbate pre-existing respiratory diseases. Although their adverse effects on airway pathologies have been widely studied, the mechanistic analysis of signaling pathways and potential targets in reducing DEP-induced mucin secretion and pro-inflammatory cytokine production remain elusive. We, for the first time, investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extracts on mucin overproduction and airway inflammation induced by DEP. Methods: The effects of KRG and saponin on DEP-induced expression of MUC5AC and interleukin (IL)-6/8 were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in human airway epithelial NCI–H292 cells. We conducted Western blotting analysis to analyze the associated signaling pathways. To evaluate the effects of saponin treatment on DEP-induced MUC5AC expression and inflammatory cell infiltrations in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and real-time PCR were implemented. Results: The KRG extracts markedly attenuated DEP-induced MUC5AC expression in vitro by inhibiting the TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, KRG and saponin inhibited DEP-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6/8 production. The in vivo study revealed that saponin blocked DEP-induced inflammation, mucin production and MUC5AC expression. Conclusion: Our study revealed that KRG extracts have inhibitory effects on DEP-induced expression of MUC5AC and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This finding provides novel insights into the mechanism by which saponin alleviates diesel-susceptible airway inflammation, elucidating its potential as a phytotherapeutic agent for inflammatory pathologies of airway.

Published in Journal of Ginseng Research

ISSN: 1226-8453 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Science: Botany
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-ginseng-research/

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