The effects ofPycnogenol, apine bark extract onpulmonary inflammation byAsian sand dust inmice.

Abstract

Asian sand dust (ASD), also called China dust oryellow dust, mainly occurs inEast Asia during spring and autumn. Because ASD enters the body mainly through the respiratory system, itcan cause respiratory disorders orworsen underlying diseases. Because ofthis, ithas become animportant health concern that threatens the well-being ofhumans and animals. Inthis study, weinvestigated the effects of15 and 30 mg/kgofPycnogenol (PYC15 and 30 groups), apine bark extract, onASD-induced pulmonary inflammation inmice. Weevaluated the inflammatory cell counts, inflammatory cytokines, and matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression inanimal models. PYC administration significantly decreased inflammatory cell infiltration into lung tissue; this was accompanied byareduction inthe levels ofproinflammatory mediators including interleukin (IL)-1β (P<0.01), IL-6 (P<0.01) and tumour necrosis factor-α (P< 0.01) inbronchoalveolar lavage fluids ofASD-exposed mice (ASDgroup). Histological analysis revealed that PYC suppressed ASD-induced pulmonary inflammation. Moreover, PYC suppressed the levels ofmatrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 inthe lung tissue ofASD-exposed mice,indicating thatPYC reduced ASD-induced pulmonary inflammation bysuppressing MMP-9. Together, these results indicatethat PYCasthepotential totreat ASD-driven pulmonary inflammation.