Effects of Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris and their isolated compounds on ion transport in Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
The traditional Chinese medicine Cordyceps sinensis (CS) (Clavicipitaceae) improves pulmonary function and is used to treat respiratory disease. Here, we compare the efficacy and mechanisms of action of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris (CM) (Clavicipitaceae) in Calu-3 human airway epithelial monolayer model.


METHODS
The extracts of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris, as well as their isolated compounds, cordycepin and adenosine, stimulated ion transport in a dose-dependent manner in Calu-3 monolayers. In subsequent experiments, transport inhibitor bumetanide and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide were added after Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris extracts to determine their effects on Cl- and HCO3- movement.


RESULTS
The results suggested that Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris extracts may affect the anion movement from the basolateral to apical compartments in the airway epithelia.


CONCLUSIONS
Basolateral Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter and apical cAMP-dependent cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel are involved in the process. The results provide the first evidence for the pharmacological mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris on respiratory tract.
Yue
Grace Gar-Lee
GG
Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Lau
Clara Bik-San
CB
Fung
Kwok-Pui
KP
Leung
Ping-Chung
PC
Ko
Wing-Hung
WH
D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000502:physiology; D003839:Deoxyadenosines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters / Q000502:physiology
D002712:Chlorides; D003839:Deoxyadenosines; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; C058120:cordycepin; D000241:Adenosine