We investigated whether aqueous extract of the root of Platycodon grandiflorum A. de Candolle (APG), platycodinD(3) and
deapi-platycodin significantly affect the production and secretion of airway
mucin using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Effect of APG was checked on hypersecretion of pulmonary
mucin in
sulfur dioxide-induced
bronchitis in rats. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with platycodinD(3) or
deapi-platycodin for 30min and then stimulated with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) for 24h. The MUC5AC
mucin production and secretion were measured by ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) APG stimulated the secretion of airway
mucin in
sulfur dioxide-induced
bronchitis rat model; (2) platycodinD(3) and
deapi-platycodin inhibited the production of MUC5AC
mucin induced by PMA from NCI-H292 cells, respectively; (3) however, platycodinD(3) and
deapi-platycodin did not inhibit but stimulated the secretion of MUC5AC
mucin induced by PMA from NCI-H292 cells, respectively. This result suggests that aqueous extract of P. grandiflorum A. de Candolle and the two natural products derived from it, platycodinD(3) and
deapi-platycodin, can regulate the production and secretion of airway
mucin and, at least in part, explains the traditional use of aqueous extract of P. grandiflorum A. de Candolle as
expectorants in diverse inflammatory
pulmonary diseases.