Abstract
Background Dahuang Zhechong pills (DHZCP) is a classic Chinese medicinal prescription in “Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases (Shanghan Zabing Lun),” and it has the function of tonifying blood, nourishing Yin, and removing blood stasis. Previous studies have shown that DHZCP could alleviate SiO2 induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. This study aims to further explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of DHZCP against silicosis fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Methods We used the experimental model of SiO2-induced MH-S cells to evaluate the therapeutic potential of DHZCP. MH-S cells induced by SiO2 were intervened with the drug-containing serum of DHZCP, and the effects of drug-containing serum of DHZCP on the MH-S cells were detected by CCK8, ELISA, flow cytometry, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Results DHZCP improved cell viability by reducing apoptosis. It also decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in the supernatant of MH-S cells induced by SiO2, inhibited the expression of p38 MAPK, blocked the activation of NF-κB, and controlled the upstream inflammatory response by multiple targeting. Concomitantly, we observed upregulation of Smad7 and a marked decline in TGF-β1, α-SMA, Smad2, Smad3 expression in MH-S cells treated with DHZCP. Conclusion To sum up, we conclude that DHZCP protects against SiO2-induced silicosis by reducing the persistent irritation of inflammation, regulating the p38 MAPK/TGF-β1/Smad pathway.
Highlights
Silicosis, one of the most common occupational diseases in the world is an irreversible and progressive interstitial pulmonary disease caused by long-term inhalation and retention of free silica (SiO2) [1,2,3]
E pathological processes of silicosis start from the phagocytosis of SiO2 by macrophages, which leads to an inflammatory cascade, excessive proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, and gradual development of fibrosis
3.1. e Contents of 5 Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine in DHZCP-Medicated Serum (DMS). e results of the reference standard compounds and DMS samples were shown in Figure 1, and the contents were shown in Table 3. 5 major components of DMS were verified by comparing individual peak retention time and quantifier ions with the reference standard compounds. e peak area of amygdalin, baicalin, catalpol, emodin, and paeoniflorin were taken as the vertical coordinate and the concentration as the horizontal coordinate, and the standard curve was obtained by regression with the weighted coefficient (Equal)
Summary
Dahuang Zhechong pills (DHZCP) is a classic Chinese medicinal prescription in “Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases (Shanghan Zabing Lun),” and it has the function of tonifying blood, nourishing Yin, and removing blood stasis. Previous studies have shown that DHZCP could alleviate SiO2 induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Is study aims to further explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of DHZCP against silicosis fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. We used the experimental model of SiO2-induced MH-S cells to evaluate the therapeutic potential of DHZCP. DHZCP improved cell viability by reducing apoptosis. It decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in the supernatant of MHS cells induced by SiO2, inhibited the expression of p38 MAPK, blocked the activation of NF-κB, and controlled the upstream inflammatory response by multiple targeting. We conclude that DHZCP protects against SiO2-induced silicosis by reducing the persistent irritation of inflammation, regulating the p38 MAPK/TGF-β1/ Smad pathway
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
