Curcumin ameliorates asthmatic airway inflammation by activating nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2/haem oxygenase (HO)‐1 signalling pathway |
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| Authors: | Liyun Liu Yunxiao Shang Miao Li Xiaohua Han Jia Wang Juan Wang |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Previous studies have shown that curcumin alleviates asthma in vivo. However, the relationship between curcumin and the nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/haem oxygenase (HO)‐1 pathway in asthma treatment remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of curcumin involved in the amelioration of airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model. Curcumin was administrated to asthmatic mice, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected. Inflammatory cell infiltration was measured by Giemsa staining. Immunoglobulin E production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was measured by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay. Histological analyses were evaluated with haematoxylin‐eosin and periodic acid‐Schiff staining. Airway hyperresponsiveness was examined by whole‐body plethysmography. Nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2, HO‐1, nuclear factor‐κB and inhibitory κB/p‐inhibitory κB levels in lung tissues were detected by western blot, and Nrf2 activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 levels in the small interfering RNA‐transfected cells were detected by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay. Curcumin treatment significantly reduced immunoglobulin E production, attenuated inflammatory cell accumulation and goblet cell hyperplasia, and ameliorated mucus secretion and airway hyperresponsiveness. Nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 and HO‐1 levels in lung tissues were significantly increased. Meanwhile, Nrf2 activity was enhanced. Nuclear factor‐κB and p‐inhibitory κB levels were elevated in the lung tissue of ovalbumin‐challenged mice. Both were restored to normal levels after curcumin treatment. Haem oxygenase‐1 and nuclear Nrf2 levels were enhanced in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners in curcumin‐treated RAW264.7 cells. Curcumin blocked lipopolysaccharide‐upregulated expression of tumour necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6. After the cells were transfected with HO‐1 or Nrf2 small interfering RNA, lipopolysaccharide‐induced pro‐inflammation cytokine expression was significantly restored. In summary, curcumin might alleviate airway inflammation in asthma through the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway, potentially making it an effective drug in asthma treatment. |
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| Keywords: | asthma curcumin Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway pro‐inflammation cytokine RAW264.7 cell siRNA |
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