Inhibitory effects of Kyung-Ok-Ko, traditional herbal prescription, on particulate matter-induced vascular barrier disruptive responses

ABSTRACT

Inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is associated with elevated pulmonary injury caused by the loss of vascular barrier integrity. A traditional herbal prescription, Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), has long been used in Oriental medicine as a tonic for age-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of KOK on PM-induced lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier disruption and pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, activation of proinflammatory proteins, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and histology were examined in PM_2.5-treated EC and mice. KOK significantly scavenged PM_2.5-induced ROS and inhibited the ROS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Concurrently, KOK activated Akt, which helped maintain endothelial integrity. Furthermore, KOK reduced vascular protein leakage, leukocyte infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine release in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in PM-induced lung tissues. These data suggested that KOK might exhibit protective effects in PM-induced inflammatory lung injury and vascular hyperpermeability.

KEYWORDS:

• Kyung-Ok-Ko
• particulate matter
• vascular permeability
• Akt

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. [N/A].