title: Evaluations of thyme extract effects in human normal bronchial and tracheal epithelial cell lines and in human lung cancer cell line.
abstract: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is used traditionally to prepare herbal remedies possessing expectorant, mucolytic, antitussive and antispasmodic properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a standardized hydroalcoholic extract of thyme on primary human airway (bronchial/tracheal) epithelial cell lines in a model of lung inflammation induced by LPS. In addition, the effects of thyme extract on human lung cancer cell line (H460) were analysed. Thyme extract showed significant anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p52 transcription factors protein levels followed by the decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta and IL-8), and Muc5ac secretion in human normal bronchial and tracheal epithelial cells. Moreover, the extract showed cytotoxic effects on H460 cancer cells, modulated the release of IL-1 beta, IL-8 and down-regulated NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p52 proteins. Taken together, these results substantiated the traditional uses of thyme in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Thyme extract might be an effective treatment of chronic diseases based on inflammatory processes when hypersecretion of mucus overwhelms the ciliary clearance and obstructs airways, causing morbidity and mortality. Moreover thyme extract, evaluated in H460 lung cancer cell line, demonstrated to induce cell cytotoxicity in addition to reduce inflammatory cell signals.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy.
authors.forename: Marinelli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliviero
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy.
authors.forename: Iannarelli
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romilde
authors.affiliation: Dept. Experimental Medicine, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Morelli Maria
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Beatrice
authors.affiliation: Epo s.r.l., Istituto Farmochimico Fitoterapico, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Valisi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matteo
authors.affiliation: Epo s.r.l., Istituto Farmochimico Fitoterapico, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicotra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giovanna
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Camerino, MC, Italy.
authors.forename: Amantini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Consuelo
authors.affiliation: Dept. Experimental Medicine, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cardinali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Claudio
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy.
authors.forename: Santoni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giorgio
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy. Electronic address: filippo.maggi@unicam.it.
authors.forename: Maggi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippo
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy. Electronic address: massimo.nabissi@unicam.it.
authors.forename: Nabissi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Massimo
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000276:immunology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013943:Thymol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013943:Thymol
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Lung cancer; NF-κB; Normal bronchial and tracheal epithelial cells (HBEpC/HTEpC); Thymol; Thymus vulgaris