Withaferin A attenuates ovalbumin induced airway inflammation

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2019 Jan 1;24(3):576-596. doi: 10.2741/4737.

Abstract

The molecular mechanism of how airway inflammation develops is not fully understood. Withaferin A (WA) is a natural phytochemical isolated from the plant Withania somnifera. It is a well-investigated bioactive compound that possesses a variety of health-promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. In the present study, the effect of WA on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in mice was investigated. The results indicated that pre-treatment with WA inhibited OVA-induced lung injury and fibrosis progression in mice. Furthermore, WA significantly downregulated inflammatory cell infiltration into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the lung tissue specimens. Additionally, WA significantly suppressed transforming growth factor-b1 expression in lung tissues. WA also caused the downregulation of collagen I, collagen III, α-smooth muscle actin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, as well as SMADs and extracellular signal related kinase 1/2 inactivation. Notably, WA significantly reduced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The results indicate that WA may be an effective novel candidate for the treatment of airway inflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Collagen / genetics
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / drug effects
  • Inflammasomes / genetics
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / genetics
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Ovalbumin / toxicity*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / genetics
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / prevention & control
  • Respiratory System / drug effects*
  • Respiratory System / metabolism
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Withanolides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Withanolides
  • Ovalbumin
  • Collagen
  • withaferin A