Background Effective-component compatibility of Bufei Yishen formula III (ECC-BYF III) demonstrates positive effects on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Purpose To investigate the mechanisms of ECC-BYF III on COPD rats from the aspect of airway epithelial cell senescence. Methods COPD model rats (Sprague-Dawley rat) were treated with ECC-BYF III for 8 weeks, and the efficacy was evaluated. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced senescence model of airway epithelial cells was treated with ECC-BYF III, and related enzymes and proteins involved in oxidative stress and mitophagy were detected. Results ECC-BYF III markedly rescued pulmonary function and histopathological changes, which might be associated with the amelioration of lung senescence, including the reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels, increase of the level in total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and decease in the p21 level in the airways. Furthermore, ECC-BYF III suppressed p16 and p21 expressions and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in CSE-induced airway epithelial cells. Moreover, ECC-BYF III upregulated mitophagy-related proteins, including the co-localizations of TOM20 and LC3B, PINK1 and PARK2, and improved mitochondrial function by upregulating mitochondrial mitofusin (MFN)2 and reducing dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) expression. ECC-BYF III enhanced the activities of T-SOD and GSH-PX by up-regulating NRF2, thus inhibiting oxidative stress. After intervention with NRF2 inhibitor, the regulation effects of ECC-BYF III on oxidative stress, mitophagy and senescence in airway epithelial cells were significantly suppressed. Conclusions ECC-BYF III exerts beneficial effects on COPD rats by ameliorating airway epithelial cell senescence, which is mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress and subsequently enhancing mitophagy through the activation of NRF2 signaling.

Background: Effective-component compatibility of Bufei Yishen formula Ⅲ (ECC-BYF Ⅲ) shows positive effects on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Purpose: To investigate the mechanisms of ECC-BYF Ⅲ on COPD rats from the aspect of airway epithelial cell senescence.Methods: COPD model rats were treated with ECC-BYF Ⅲ for 8 weeks and the efficacy was evaluated. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced senescence model of airway epithelial cells were treated with ECC-BYF Ⅲ, the related enzymes and proteins involved in oxidative stress and mitophagy were detected.Results: ECC-BYF Ⅲ markedly rescued pulmonary function and histopathological changes, which might be associated with the amelioration of lung senescence, including reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, increase of the level of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and decease of p21 level in airway. Furthermore, ECC-BYF Ⅲ suppressed p16, p21 expressions and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in CSE-induced airway epithelial cells. Moreover, ECC-BYF Ⅲ upregulated the mitophagy-related proteins, including co-localization of TOM20 and LC3B, PINK1, PARK2, and improved mitochondrial function with upregulating mitochondrial mitofusin (Mfn)2 and reducing dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) expression. ECC-BYF Ⅲ enhanced the activities of T-SOD and GSH-PX by up-regulating Nrf2, thus inhibiting oxidative stress. After intervention with Nrf2 inhibitor, the regulation effects of ECC-BYF Ⅲ on oxidative stress, mitophagy and senescence in airway epithelial cells were significantly suppressed.Conclusions: ECC-BYF Ⅲ exerts beneficial effects on COPD rats by ameliorating airway epithelial cell senescence, which is mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress and subsequently enhancing mitophagy through activation of Nrf2 signaling.