Esculetin restores mitochondrial dysfunction and reduces allergic asthma features in experimental murine model

J Immunol. 2009 Aug 1;183(3):2059-67. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0900342. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Abstract

We recently showed that IL-4-dependent oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with allergic asthma. IL-4 also induces a prooxidant enzyme, 15-lipoxygenase, which predominantly expresses in asthmatic bronchial epithelium and degrades mitochondria. Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one), a plant-derived coumarin and immunomodulator, was found to have potent bronchodilating property in carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction and also reduces mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological diseases. In this study, we evaluated its potential in restoring mitochondrial dysfunction and structural changes and anti-asthma property in a mouse model of experimental asthma. In this study, we found that esculetin treatment reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, Th2 response, lung eotaxin, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia, airway inflammation, and OVA-specific IgE. It also reduced the expression and metabolites of 15-lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation which is an essential prerequisite for mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, esculetin treatment restored the activity of cytochrome c oxidase of electron transport chain in lung mitochondria and expression of the third subunit of cytochrome c oxidase of electron transport chain in bronchial epithelium. It reduced the cytochrome c level and caspase 9 activity in lung cytosol and restored mitochondrial structural changes and lung ATP levels. In addition, esculetin reduced subepithelial fibrosis and TGF-beta1 levels in the lung. These results suggest that esculetin not only restores mitochondrial dysfunction and structural changes but also alleviates asthmatic features.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / drug therapy
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Mice
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Umbelliferones / pharmacology*
  • Umbelliferones / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Umbelliferones
  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • esculetin