Cryptotympana pustulata Extract and Its Main Active Component, Oleic Acid, Inhibit Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation through Inhibition of Th2/GATA-3 and Interleukin-17/RORγt Signaling Pathways in Asthmatic Mice.

Seung-Hyung Kim,Won-Kyung Yang,Jung-Hee Hong,Hyo-Jung Kim,Young-Cheol Lee,Hyo-Jin An

doi:10.3390/molecules26071854

Seung-Hyung Kim, Won-Kyung Yang + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071854

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Abstract

Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of Cryptotympana pustulata, has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianaphylactic activities. The major bioactive compounds include oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. However, the precise therapeutic mechanisms underlying its action in asthma remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the antiasthmatic effects of CP in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model. CP and OA inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and production of interleukin (IL)7 and Th2 cytokines (IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-specific imunoglobin E (IgE) in the serum. The gene expression of IL-5, IL-13, CCR3, MUC5AC, and COX-2 was attenuated in lung tissues. CP and OA might inhibit the nuclear translocation of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) via the upregulation of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), thereby preventing the activation of GATA-3 and RORγt. In the in vitro experiment, a similar result was observed for Th2 and GATA-3. These results suggest that CP has the potential for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the GATA-3/Th2 and IL-17/RORγt signaling pathways.

Highlights

Cicadae Periostracum (CP) has been used in traditional medicine in Korea and China to relieve pathogenic wind-heat from the lung channel and in the treatment of hoarseness, sore throat, spasms, itching, and other symptoms [1]
Oleic acid (OA), Molecules 2021, 26, 1854 palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid were the main components of the ethanol extract of the CP
OA inhibited receptor γt (RORγt) protein expression. These results indicate that CP and OA exert a therapeutic effect against asthma, possibly via the GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3), RORγt, and forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) pathways

Summary

Introduction

Cicadae Periostracum (CP) has been used in traditional medicine in Korea and China to relieve pathogenic wind-heat from the lung channel and in the treatment of hoarseness, sore throat, spasms, itching, and other symptoms [1]. It is the most commonly used herbal medicine, possessing diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant [2,3], anticonvulsive, hypothermic, sedative [2], antiallergic, antipyretic [4], and antibacterial [5] activities. It was shown that the CP contains various kinds of ingredients, many fatty acids, amino acids, protein, chitin, and acetyldopamine dimers. Fatty acids, including omega-3 and -6, play key roles in the development of numerous inflammatory mediators involved in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma [11]

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