Biomol Ther.  2013 Jan;21(1):66-71.

Inhibition of Experimental Systemic Inflammation (Septic Inflammation) and Chronic Bronchitis by New Phytoformula BL Containing Broussonetia papyrifera and Lonicera japonica

• Ko HJ
• Kwon OS
• Jin JH
• Son KH
• Kim HP

Abstract

Broussonetia papyrifera and Lonicera japonica have long been used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Chinese medicine, especially respiratory inflammation. Previously, a new phytoformula (BL) containing B. papyrifera and L. japonica was found to exert strong anti-inflammatory activity against several animal models of inflammation, especially against an animal model of acute bronchitis. In the present investigation, the effects of BL on animal models of septic inflammation and chronic bronchitis are examined. Against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic inflammation in mice, BL (200-400 mg/kg) reduced the induction of some important proinflammatory cytokines. At 1 h after LPS treatment, BL was found to considerably inhibit TNF-alpha production when measured by cytokine array. At 3 h after LPS treatment, BL inhibited the induction of several proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-gamma and IL-1beta, although dexamethasone, which was used as a reference, showed a higher inhibitory action on these biomarkers. Against chronic bronchitis induced by LPS/elastase instillation in rats for 4 weeks, BL (200-400 mg/kg/day) significantly inhibited cell recruitment in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, BL considerably reduced lung injury, as revealed by histological observation. Taken together, these results indicate that BL may have a potential to treat systemic septic inflammation as well as chronic bronchitis.

Keyword

Broussonetia papyrifera; Lonicera japonica; Septic inflammation; Bronchitis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Biomarkers
Bronchitis
Bronchitis, Chronic*
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Broussonetia*
Cytokines
Dexamethasone
Humans
Inflammation*
Lonicera*
Lung Injury
Mice
Models, Animal
Rats
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Biological Markers
Cytokines
Dexamethasone
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha