Effects of Lobetyolin, Lobetyol and Methyl linoleate on Secretion, Production and Gene Expression of MUC5AC Mucin from Airway Epithelial Cells

Background: In this study, we investigated whether lobetyolin, lobetyol, and methyl linoleate derived from Codonopsis pilosula affect MUC5AC Mucin secretion, production, and gene expression from airway epithelial cells.

Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with lobetyolin, lobetyol, or methyl linoleate for 30 minutes and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 hours. The MUC5AC Mucin gene expression, and Mucin protein production and secretion were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results: Lobetyolin, lobetyol, and methyl linoleate inhibited the gene expression of MUC5AC Mucin induced by PMA; lobetyolin did not affect PMA-induced MUC5AC Mucin production. However, lobetyol and methyl linoleate inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin; lobetyolin and lobetyol did not significantly affect PMA-induced MUC5AC Mucin secretion from NCI-H292 cells. However, methyl linoleate decreased the MUC5AC Mucin secretion.

Conclusion: These results suggest that among the three compounds, methyl linoleate can regulate gene expression, production, and secretion of MUC5AC Mucin by directly acting on the airway epithelial cells.