Thyme extract increases mucociliary-beating frequency in primary cell lines from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Publication date: September 2018Source: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 105Author(s): Massimo Nabissi, Oliviero Marinelli, Maria Beatrice Morelli, Giovanna Nicotra, Romilde Iannarelli, Consuelo Amantini, Giorgio Santoni, Filippo MaggiAbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder characterized by a progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. COPD is associated to a chronic inflammatory response with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the surface epithelium of large airways and abnormalities in structure and functions of cilia. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is a traditional medicinal plant of the Mediterranean area used to treat respiratory disorders. We previously evidenced that thyme extract reduce IL-1beta and IL-8, by downregulating the activated NF-κB levels, suggesting its potential therapeutically use in COPD. Cilia beating frequency (CBF) is dramatically impaired in COPD and different pharmacological agents can modulate cilia function. Herein we evaluated the effect of a commercial thyme extract in modulating CBF by measuring its activity in stimulating cAMP, Ca2+ levels and CBF in a MucilAir 3D human COPD airway epithelia reconstituted in vitro system using salmeterol, YM976, isoproterenol and GSK1016790 A as positive controls. Results showed that thyme extract increased cAMP levels starting from 12 h post-treatment, decreased extracellular Ca2+ levels and increased the CBF in airway epithelia from COPD donors. Overall, ...
Source: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research