Loke zupa decoction attenuates bronchial EMT-mediated airway remodelling in chronic asthma through the PI3K-Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway

Abstract

Context

Loke zupa decoction (Lok) is a well-established classic Chinese folk remedy for asthma.

Objective

We sought to investigate the effect and mechanism of Lok on asthma airway remodelling and provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of asthma.

Materials and methods

For in vitro experiments, BEAS-2B cells were assigned into six groups: Control, TGF-β1 (10 μM), TGF-β1 + Lok-20, TGF-β1 + Lok-40, TGF-β1 + Lok-80 μg/mL and TGF-β1 + SB431542 (5 μM). CCK8 and wound healing assays were performed. For in vivo experiments, 60 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control, model, Lok-4.55, Lok-9.1, and DEX group. Lok was administrated by gavage during the challenge stage for 8 consecutive weeks (4.55 and 9.1 g/kg/day). We investigated airway inflammation and airway remodelling in the lungs and verified the activation status of EMT-related markers and the PI3K-Akt/HIF-1α signalling pathway.

Results

In vitro, Lok efficiently inhibited TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cell proliferation ability (cell viability 165% vs. 105%) and migration (migration areas 85% vs. 35%) without affecting their normal growth (IC50 274.2 µg/mL at 48 h). In vivo, Lok effectively protected mice from asthma, as evidenced by decreased histological damage and level of cytokines in BALF (IL-4, IL-13 and TGF-β1) by 17%–77%. Mechanistic research revealed that Lok reduced the levels of EMT-related molecules and significantly downregulated the PI3K-Akt/HIF-1α signalling pathway.

Discussion and conclusions

Our findings provide novel insights into the protective effect of Lok on asthma and the underlying mechanisms, providing a theoretical basis and potential treatment possibilities for this patient population.

Keywords:

• BEAS-2B cells
• cytokine
• lung
• E-Cadherin
• N-Cadherin

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the College of Pharmacy of Xinjiang Medical University for the assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China [2018YFC1708303], and the Project of Key Laboratory of Active Components and Drug Release Technology of Natural Medicines in Xinjiang, China [XJDX1713].