Effect of piperlongumine during exposure to cigarette smoke reduces inflammation and lung injury

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2020Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology & TherapeuticsAuthor(s): Monielle Sant’Ana Leal, Helena R. Souza, Lucas Possebon, Marinônio L. Cornélio, Yanira Riffo-Vasquez, Ana Paula Girol, Sonia M. OlianiAbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to smoking and anti-inflammatory therapy is indicated. Among the mediators with anti-inflammatory properties, we highlight piperlongumine (PL), an alkaloid/amide of Piper longum. Here we evaluated the PL administration on an experimental model of respiratory inflammation resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke. Male Balb/c mice were exposed to burning of 10 commercial cigarettes, 2x/day, for five weeks on specific equipment. PL efficacy was evaluated in control, exposed to smoke without treatment and PL treated (2.0 mg/kg, 3x/week) groups. Animals were weighed and plethysmographic analyses performed at the end of the exposure protocol. Inflammatory cells were evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and hemoglobin and glucose in the blood. Lung fragments were processed for histopathological studies and AnxA1, COX-2, NF-kB and neutrophil elastase expressions. Plethysmography revealed that PL maintained pulmonary frequency, volume and ventilation parameters similar to controls, with respiratory volume reduction compared to untreated animals. Final weight was reduced in both exposed groups. PL decreased hemoglobin concentration, attenuated the reduction of glucose le...
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research