Abstract
BackgroundDehydroandrographolide (DA) is one of major active components in the well-known oriental herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Nees which belongs to the Acanthaceae family. DA is used for the treatment of infections in China. However, DA has not been found to significantly inhibit bacterial and viral growth directly. The current study investigates the effect of DA on the expression of human β –defensin-2 (hBD-2) in human intestinal epithelial cells and the possible signaling pathways.MethodsHuman intestinal epithelial HCT-116 cells were incubated with 1–100 μM DA for 2–24 h. RT–PCR and Western blot were used to assess the expression of hBD-2. The specific inhibitors were used and the levels of phosphorylation of signaling molecules were detected for dissecting the signaling pathways leading to the induction of hBD-2.ResultsMTT assay showed there was no obvious cytotoxicity for HCT-116 cells by 1–100 μM DA treatment. RT-PCR and Western blot assays showed that DA (1–100 μM) could up-regulate the expression of hBD-2, and the effect lasted longer than 24 h. By using SB203580 and SB202190 (inhibitors of p38), the enhancement of hBD-2 expression were significantly attenuated. However, inhibitor of ERK and inhibitor of JNK could not block the effect of DA. Furthermore, Western blot found activation of p38 but not ERK and JNK in DA-treated HCT-116 cells.ConclusionThe results suggested that DA enhanced innate immunity of intestinal tract by up-regulating the expression of hBD-2 through the p38 MAPK pathways.
Highlights
Dehydroandrographolide (DA) is one of major active components in the well-known oriental herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Nees which belongs to the Acanthaceae family
Expression of human β –defensin-2 (hBD-2) mRNA In this study, we used different concentrations of DA (0, 1, 25, 50 and 100 μM) to stimulate the HCT-116 intestinal epithelial cells for 16 h and 100 μM DA for different time intervals (0, 2, 8, 16 and 24 h), the results revealed that the DA can up-regulate the expression of the hBD-2 mRNA
We have found that both Androg and DA could enhance innate immunity by stimulate hBD-1 and hBD-2 expression in respiratory tract epithelial cells [20]
Summary
Dehydroandrographolide (DA) is one of major active components in the well-known oriental herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Nees which belongs to the Acanthaceae family. In China, A. paniculata is often used for treatment of chronic or repeated onset infection and inflammation, especially for the upper respiratory tract infection and gut diarrhea [1,2,3]. Both andrographolide (Androg) and dehydroandrographolide (DA) are main active components in A. paniculata, which have been demonstrated to contribute anti-infectious property of the A. paniculata. Our recent work demonstrated that DA could enhance innate immune function by up-regulating the expression of human β –defensin (hBD-1) of human lung epithelial cells [9]
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
