Rhynchophylline attenuates allergic bronchial asthma by inhibiting transforming growth factor‑β1‑mediated Smad and mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling transductions in vivo and in vitro

Wang,Meng; Li,Hui; Zhao,Yaxin; Lv,Chuanfeng; Zhou,Guanghua

doi:10.3892/etm.2018.6909

Rhynchophylline attenuates allergic bronchial asthma by inhibiting transforming growth factor‑β1‑mediated Smad and mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling transductions in vivo and in vitro

Authors:
- Meng Wang
- Hui Li
- Yaxin Zhao
- Chuanfeng Lv
- Guanghua Zhou
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Affairs, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China, Department of Pharmacology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China, Department of Nursing, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
Published online on: October 31, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6909
Pages: 251-259
Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Rhynchophylline (Rhy) is a major active component of Uncaria rhynchophylla and exhibits the potential to inhibit the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). In the current study, it was hypothesized that Rhy serves a key role in the anti‑asthma effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla by inhibiting transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1)‑mediated activation of Smad and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Allergic asthma was induced in mice using ovalbumin (OVA), and the effect of Rhy treatment on inflammatory and allergic responses in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of mice was determined. Subsequently, the changes in TGF‑β1‑induced Smad and MAPK signaling following Rhy administration were detected to determine the mechanism associated with this treatment. In addition, TGF‑β1 was employed to induce hyperplasia of ASMCs, and the effect of Rhy on proliferation of ASMCs, and Smad and MAPK signaling in vitro was also assessed. The administration of Rhy attenuated the recruitment of eosinophils in BALF induced by OVA, which was associated with the suppressed production of immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)‑13, IL‑4 and IL‑5. At the molecular level, the administration of Rhy suppressed the expression levels of TGF‑β1, Smad4, p‑Smad2 and p‑Smad3, while it induced the expression of Smad7, indicating the inhibitory effect of Rhy on TGF‑β1‑mediated Smad and MAPK signaling. Furthermore, Rhy inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs and, similar to the results of the in vivo assay, it blocked the pro‑hyperplasia signaling transduction in vitro. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated the anti‑asthma effect of Rhy, which depended on the inhibition of TGF‑β1‑mediated Smad and MAPK signaling.

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