Leonotis nepetifolia Transformed Root Extract Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Promotes Tissue Repair In Vitro

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2023-03, Vol.20 (6), p.4706
• Main Authors: Sitarek, Przemysław, Kowalczyk, Tomasz, Śliwiński, Tomasz, Hatziantoniou, Sophia, Soulintzi, Nikolitsa, Pawliczak, Rafal, Wieczfinska, Joanna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway management; Antibiotics; Asthma; Cell culture; Cell lines; Communication; Cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Epithelial cells; Epithelium; Fibroblasts; Flavonoids; Gene expression; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Humans; IL-1β; Inflammation; Inflammation - drug therapy; Interleukin 6; Lamiaceae - metabolism; Leonotis nepetifolia; Metabolites; Pharmacology; Phenols; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Respiratory tract; Rhinovirus; Roots; Wound healing
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064706

Inflammation is closely related to asthma and its defining feature: airway remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of extracts of normal (NR) and transformed (TR) roots on respiratory cells and against the gingival epithelium. Extracts from NR and TR roots were added to lung fibroblast, bronchial epithelial and gingival fibroblast cell lines, in the presence of HRV-16 infection, to determine their impact on inflammation. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, GM-CSF and MCAF) as well as total thiol contents were assessed. The TR extract inhibited rhinovirus-induced IL-6 and IL-1β expression in all tested airway cells ( < 0.05). Additionally, the extract decreased GM-CSF expression in bronchial epithelial cells. The tested extracts had positive effects on total thiol content in all tested cell lines. The TR root extract demonstrated wound healing potential. While both tested extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, they were stronger for the TR extract, possibly due to higher concentrations of beneficial metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids. Additionally, wound healing activity was demonstrated for the TR root extract. These results suggest that TR root extract may become a promising therapeutic agent in the future.