Therapeutic effect of phycocyanin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

Wenjun Li; Yuanyuan Li; Qi Wang; Runze Liu; Jianing Lu; Wenju Lu; Song Qin

doi:10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.009

Therapeutic effect of phycocyanin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

J Adv Res. 2024 Jan 10:S2090-1232(24)00009-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Wenjun Li¹, Yuanyuan Li², Qi Wang¹, Runze Liu³, Jianing Lu⁴, Wenju Lu⁵, Song Qin⁶

Affiliations

¹ Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China.
² Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institue of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510031, China.
³ Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
⁴ Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China.
⁵ Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institue of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510031, China. Electronic address: wlu92@gzhmu.edu.cn.
⁶ Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China. Electronic address: sqin@yic.an.cn.

PMID: 38211884
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.009

Abstract

Introduction: The prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is closely tied to antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Phycocyanin (PC) has numerous pharmacological effects, such as antioxidation and anti-inflammation. However, it remains unclear whether PC can play a therapeutic role in COPD.

Objective: As inflammation and oxidative stress can aggravate COPD, this study is to explore the effect of PC on COPD mice and its mechanisms.

Methods: The COPD mice model was established by exposing them to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke (CS); PC was administrated in a concentration of 50 mg/kg for 30 days. On the last day, lung function was measured, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained and classified for cells. Lung tissue pathological change was analyzed, and organ indices statistics were measured. Based on molecular docking, the mechanism was explored with Western blotting, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence in vivo and in vitro.

Results: PC significantly ameliorated the pulmonary function of COPD mice and reduced inflammation of the lung (p < 0.05), and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed PC depressed lung inflammatory cell accumulation and emphysema. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining revealed that PC retarded goblet cells metaplasia and collagen deposition (p < 0.05). In addition, in vivo PC regulated Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) level (p < 0.01) in the lung, as well as NOX2 level in pulmonary macrophages. Molecular docking results indicate that phycocyanobilin (PCB) in PC had a good binding site in Keap1 and NOX2 proteins; the phycocyanobilin-bound phycocyanin peptide (PCB-PC-peptide) was obtained for further studies. In vitro, PCB-PC-peptide could depress the phospho-NF-E2-related factor 2 (p-Nrf2) and NQO1 protein expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: PC exerts beneficial effects on COPD via anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress, which may be achieved through PCB.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory drugs; Antioxidants; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Phycocyanin.