title: Arctigenin exhibits relaxation effect on bronchus by affecting transmembrane flow of calcium.
abstract: Arctigenin, a lignan extract from Arctium lappa (L.), exhibits anti-inflammation, antioxidation, vasodilator effects, etc. However, the effects of arctigenin on bronchus relaxation are not well investigated. This study aimed to investigate how arctigenin regulates bronchus tone and calcium ion (Ca(2+)) flow. Trachea strips of guinea pigs were prepared for testing the relaxation effect of arctigenin to acetylcholine, histamine, KCl, and CaCl2, respectively. Furthermore, L-type calcium channel currents were detected by patch-clamp, and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was detected by confocal microscopy. The results showed that arctigenin exhibited relaxation effect on tracheae to different constrictors, and this was related to decreasing cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration by inhibiting Ca(2+) influx partly through L-type calcium channel as well as promoting Ca(2+) efflux. In summary, this study provides new insight into the mechanisms by which arctigenin exhibits relaxation effect on bronchus and suggests its potential use for airway disease therapy.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Weijin Road 94#, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhenying
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yongqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Zengyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Runping
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Guo'an
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031170:Arctium / Q000737:chemistry; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D017705:Lignans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D005663:Furans; D017705:Lignans; D002118:Calcium; C071942:arctigenin