YG-1 Extract Improves Acute Pulmonary Inflammation by Inducing Bronchodilation and Inhibiting Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract

YG-1 extract used in this study is a mixture of Lonicera japonica, Arctic Fructus, and Scutellariae Radix. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of YG-1 extract on bronchodilatation (ex vivo) and acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation relief (in vivo). Ex vivo: The bronchodilation reaction was confirmed by treatment with YG-1 concentration-accumulation (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/mL) in the bronchial tissue ring pre-contracted by acetylcholine (10 μM). As a result, YG-1 extract is considered to affect bronchodilation by increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cAMP) levels through the β2-adrenergic receptor. In vivo: experiments were performed in C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following groups: control group; PM2.5 (fine particulate matter)-exposed group (PM2.5, 200 μg/kg/mL saline); and PM2.5-exposed + YG-1 extract (200 mg/kg/day) group. The PM2.5 (200 μg/kg/mL saline) was exposed for 1 h for 5 days using an ultrasonic nebulizer aerosol chamber to instill fine dust in the bronchi and lungs, thereby inducing acute lung and bronchial inflammation. From two days before PM2.5 exposure, YG-1 extract (200 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 7 days. The PM2.5 exposure was involved in airway remodeling and inflammation, suggesting that YG-1 treatment improves acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines (NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway). The application of YG-1 extract with broncho-dilating effect to acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation animal models has great significance in developing therapeutic agents for respiratory diseases. Therefore, these results can provide essential data for the development of novel respiratory symptom relievers. Our study provides strong evidence that YG-1 extracts reduce the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the incidence of non-specific lung diseases and improve bronchial and lung function.

Natural Products and Disease Prevention, Relief and Treatment

“…The results showed that YG-1 extract treatment reduced the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the incidence of non-specific lung diseases. YG-1 treatment also improved acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation, at least in part, by regulating the inflammasome signaling pathways (such as NLRP3/caspase-1) [3]. These results support further exploration of YG-1 extract as an effective natural product in developing therapeutics for respiratory diseases.…”

“…YG-1 extract is a mixture of three different plants, including Lonicera japonica, Arctii Fructus, and Scutel lariae radix. Kim and coworkers investigated the effect of different concentrations of YG-1 extract on bronchodilatation, as well as acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation relief ex vivo and in vivo, respectively [3]. Ex vivo, YG-1 extract showed concentration-dependent bronchodilation effects in Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels through the β2-AR (β2-adrenergic receptor)/PKA pathway [3].…”

“…Kim and coworkers investigated the effect of different concentrations of YG-1 extract on bronchodilatation, as well as acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation relief ex vivo and in vivo, respectively [3]. Ex vivo, YG-1 extract showed concentration-dependent bronchodilation effects in Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels through the β2-AR (β2-adrenergic receptor)/PKA pathway [3]. In vivo, the effects of YG-1 extract on acute bronchial and pulmonary inflammation were investigated in C57BL/6 mice.…”

Lactobacillus casei HY2782 and Pueraria lobata Root Extract Complex Ameliorates Particulate Matter-Induced Airway Inflammation in Mice by Inhibiting Th2 and Th17 Immune Responses

“…Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as dexamethasone, are currently used in treating respiratory diseases, but they are accompanied by serious side effects, such as renal dysfunction and gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, alternative medicines that use natural products with few side effects are needed ( Mahemuti et al, 2018 ; Kim et al, 2021 ). Natural products are important sources of new drugs against various pathological conditions.…”

SILAC-based chemoproteomics reveals a neoligan analogue as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting IRGM to ameliorate cytokine storm

“…Anti-inflammatory activity has been discovered in a number of synthetic neolignans [ 36 ]. Scutellariae Radix is a popular ethnobotanical herb used to treat various ailments ranging from inflammation to nervous disorders [ 37 , 38 ]. As a consequence, aqueous extracts of S. baicalensis roots were investigated to discover anti-inflammatory compounds from traditional Chinese medicines, and the neolignan constituents were found to have strong anti-inflammatory activities [ 39 , 40 ].…”