Effects of Gamijinhae-tang (Jiaweizhenke-tang) on Tracheal Smooth Muscle Contraction and Mucin Secretion from Airway Epithelial Cells

가미진해탕(加味鎭咳湯)이 호흡기 점액의 mucin분비에 미치는 영향

Objectives: In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether Gamijinhae-tang (Jiaweizhenke-tang) (GJHT) significantly affects both contractility of tracheal smooth muscle and mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: Effect of GJHT on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle of rabbit was investigated. Confluent hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on 3H-mucin secretion. At the same time, confluent NCI-H292 cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on MUC5AC secretion by ELISA. Total elution profiles of control spent media and treatment sample (radioactive mucin) through Sepharose CL-4B column were analyzed. Also, effect of the agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured NCI-H292 cells was investigated. Possible cytotoxicities of the agent were assessed by measuring both lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from HTSE cells and examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Results: (1) GJHT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; (2) GJHT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells. However, it did not affect MUC5AC secretion from NCI-H292 cells, only chiefly affecting the 'mucin' secretion; (3) GJHT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC5AC gene in cultured NCI-H292 cells; (4) GJHT did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. However, it slightly increased LDH release from HTSE cells. Conclusion: The author suggests that effects of GJHT with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells.