A chinese herbal formula ameliorates COPD by inhibiting the inflammatory response via downregulation of p65, JNK, and p38.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Bufei Yishen formula (BYF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy of BYF and investigate its therapeutic mechanisms.

METHODS:

A total of 134 patients completed the study: 68 patients treated by BYF combined with conventional Western medicine in the trial group; and 66 patients treated using conventional Western medicine in the control group. The efficacy of BYF was evaluated by a subgroup analysis of data obtained from a four-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial of comprehensive TCM interventions. A rat model of COPD was treated with the key active molecules (KAM) of BYF for 8 weeks. An in vitro model of COPD was also treated with KAM.

RESULTS:

Patients treated with BYF had reduced frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD (p < 0.001) and duration (p = 0.028), dyspnea scale (p = 0.007), 6-min walking distance (p = 0.048). There were no differences observed in forced vital capacity in one second (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1 percentage of the predicted value (FEV1%). The five KAM of BYF (KAM-BYF) improved lung function, including tidal volume, minute ventilation, peak expiratory flow, FVC, FEV0.1, and FEV0.3, and pathological changes in COPD rats. Treatment with KAM-BYF markedly decreased the levels of interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and MMP12 in serum and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. In airway epithelial cells, KAM-BYF decreased the levels of TNF-α-induced IL8 and IL6. Finally, we discovered that the anti-inflammatory effects of KAM-BYF in COPD rats and BEAS-2Bs were mediated through inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.

CONCLUSIONS:

BYF exerts beneficial effects in patients with COPD via inhibition of inflammation.

• Authors: Jiansheng Li, Yang Xie, Peng Zhao, Yanqin Qin, Brian G Oliver, Yange Tian, Suyun Li, Minghang Wang, Xuefang Liu
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 83 Pg. 153475 (Mar 2021) ISSN: 1618-095X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 33545548 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Bu-Fei-Yi-Shen
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• MAP Kinase Kinase 4
• NF-kappa B
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Aged
• Animals
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
• Down-Regulation (drug effects)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• MAP Kinase Kinase 4 (metabolism)
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Treatment Outcome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Rats