Effect of Betulinic Acid on MUC5AC and MUC5B Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Background and Objectives MUC5AC and MUC5B are representative secretory mucin genes in the human airway. MUC5AC and MUC5B expression are increased by a variety of inflammatory mediators. Betulinic acid, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, is known to have an anti-inflammatory property. However, the effects of betulinic acid on mucin secretion of airway epithelial cells still have not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the effect of betulinic acid on inflammatory mediators-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression was investigated in human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Method In the mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, the effects of betulinic acid on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Betulinic acid attenuated IL-1β-, LPS- and PMA-induced MUC5B mRNA and glycoprotein expression in NCI-H292 cells. Betulinic acid did not attenuate IL-1β-, LPS- and PMA-induced MUC5AC mRNA and glycoprotein expression in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that betulinic acid attenuates IL-1β-, LPS- and PMA-induced MUC5B expression in airway epithelial cells. Therefore, betulinic acid may modulate a control of mucus-hypersecretion in airway inflammatory disease. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2014;57(8):526-32