phenanthrenes and Pneumonia

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Salvianolic acid B (SAB) and sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) are representative components in Salvia miltiorrhiza, which have been reported using in the treatment of PF. The aim of the study was to explain the role of inflammation in the process of PF and to investigate the effect of SAB and STS on inflammation and fibrosis in vitro. The results clearly indicated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response could induce fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation (FMT). Both SAB and STS significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in vitro, including down-regulated the protein expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α and the mRNA expression levels of IL1B and TNFA. Furthermore, both SAB and STS inhibited TGF-β1-induced the proliferation in MRC-5 cells and the overexpression of α-SMA and COL1α1, both the protein and mRNA levels. In conclusion, these results indicate that the inflammatory response is necessary for the development of PF, and the therapeutic effect of SAB and STS on PF may be related to anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects.

Topics: Actins; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzofurans; Cell Proliferation; Coculture Techniques; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; Cytokines; Fibroblasts; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Lung; Macrophages; Phenanthrenes; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Fibrosis; THP-1 Cells

Ionizing radiation-induced pulmonary injury is a major limitation of radiotherapy for thoracic tumors. We have demonstrated that triptolide (TPL) could alleviate IR-induced pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanism by which TPL mitigates the effects of radiotoxicity. The results showed that:(1) Alveolar macrophages (AMs) were the primary inflammatory cells infiltrating irradiated lung tissues and were maintained at a high level for at least 17 days, which TPL could reduce by inhibiting of the production of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and its receptor CXCR2.(2) Stimulated by the co-cultured irradiated lung epithelium, AMs produced a panel of inflammative molecules (IMs), such as cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β) and chemokines (MIP-2, MCP-1, LIX). TPL-treated AMs could reduce the production of these IMs. Meanwhile, AMs isolated from irradiated lung tissue secreted significantly high levels of IMs, which could be dramatically reduced by TPL.(3) TPL suppressed the phagocytosis of AMs as well as ROS production.Our results indicate that TPL mitigates radiation-induced pulmonary inflammation through the inhibition of the infiltration, IM secretion, and phagocytosis of AMs.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Humans; Inflammation; Macrophages, Alveolar; Phenanthrenes; Pneumonia

The NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway regulates the cellular antioxidant response and activation of Nrf2 has recently been shown to limit tissue damage from exposure to environmental toxicants, including As(III). In an attempt to identify improved molecular agents for systemic protection against environmental insults, we have focused on the identification of novel medicinal plant-derived Nrf2 activators.. Tanshinones [tanshinone I (T-I), tanshinone IIA, dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone], phenanthrenequinone-based redox therapeutics derived from the medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, have been tested as experimental therapeutics for Nrf2-dependent cytoprotection. Using a dual luciferase reporter assay overexpressing wild-type or mutant Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), we demonstrate that T-I is a potent Keap1-C151-dependent Nrf2 activator that stabilizes Nrf2 by hindering its ubiquitination. In human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to As(III), T-I displays pronounced cytoprotective activity with upregulation of Nrf2-orchestrated gene expression. In Nrf2 wild-type mice, systemic administration of T-I attenuates As(III) induced inflammatory lung damage, a protective effect not observed in Nrf2 knockout mice.. Tanshinones have been identified as a novel class of Nrf2-inducers for antioxidant tissue protection in an in vivo As(III) inhalation model, that is relevant to low doses of environmental exposure.. T-I represents a prototype Nrf2-activator that displays cytoprotective activity upon systemic administration targeting lung damage originating from environmental insults. T-I based Nrf2-directed systemic intervention may provide therapeutic benefit in protecting other organs against environmental insults.

Topics: Abietanes; Animals; Antioxidants; Arsenic; Mice; Mice, Knockout; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Phenanthrenes; Pneumonia; Salvia miltiorrhiza

Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, no effective therapy has been identified to reliably treat IPS. Previous studies using mouse BMT models suggest that the pathology of IPS in IFN-γ deficient host involves increased IL-17 levels along with recruitment of donor T cells into lung. Triptolide is a potent immunosuppressive compound isolated from an anti-inflammatory Chinese herbal medicine. Triptolide can significantly inhibit generation of IL-17 by T cells and mediate immunosuppressive effect on autoimmune disease. In the present study, we used a specific murine BMT model (IFN-γ deficient B6 to wildtype B6D2F1) to assess the protective effect of Triptolide on the development of IPS. We observed that IL-17 levels were significantly decreased in the lung after triptolide treatment compared with vehicle group. Furthermore, decreased number of Th17 cells in lung was found to be associated with amelioration of lung histological injury and pulmonary dysfunction. Additionally, neutralization of IL-17 also significantly reduced IPS pathology. Our study implied that triptolide could significantly inhibit donor T cell recruitment into lung, and thus prevent lung dysfunction after BMT usefully and effectively. Our study may shed some light on searching for proper strategies to prevent IL-17 mediated IPS and other Th17 cell-mediated immune pathologies.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interleukin-17; Lung; Mice; Phenanthrenes; Pneumonia

Inflammation is associated with various pulmonary diseases and contributes to the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. We previously identified a proinflammatory signaling pathway triggered by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in which stimulation of G(q)-coupled GPCRs results in activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Because damage to the lung causes the release of multiple mediators acting through G(q)-coupled GPCRs, this signaling pathway is likely to contribute to inflammatory processes in the injured lung. In an effort to identify novel inhibitors of lung inflammation, the National Institutes of Health Clinical Collection, a library of 446 compounds, was screened for inhibitory activity toward production of IL-8 induced by stimulation of the G(q)-coupled tachykinin 1 receptor with substance P in A549 cells. Twenty-eight compounds that significantly inhibited substance P-induced IL-8 production were identified. The most potent inhibitor was triptolide, a diterpenoid compound from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, a vine used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Triptolide inhibited IL-8 production induced by substance P with an IC(50) of 2.3 x 10(-8) M and inhibited NF-kappaB activation in response to an agonist of the protease-activated receptor 2 with an IC(50) of 1.4 x 10(-8) M. Anti-inflammatory effects of triptolide were assessed in vivo using a chlorine gas lung injury model in mice. Triptolide inhibited neutrophilic inflammation and the production of KC (Cxcl1) in the lungs of chlorine-exposed mice. The results demonstrate that triptolide exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in cultured lung cells and in an in vivo model of acute lung injury.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorine; Diterpenes; Epoxy Compounds; Humans; Interleukin-8; Lung; Mice; NF-kappa B; Phenanthrenes; Pneumonia; Substance P