Growth Factor- and Phorbol Ester-induced Production and Gene Expression of MUC5AC Mucin in Human Airway Epithelial NCI-H292 Cells Were Inhibited by Afzelin and Natural Products Derived from Houttuynia Cordata

In the present study, we investigated whether quercitrin, quercetin and afzelin derived from Houttuynia cordata affect the production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin from airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with quercitrin, quercetin or afzelin for 30 min and then stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The results were as follows: (1) Quercitrin, quercetin and afzelin inhibited EGF- and PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin production from NCI-H292 cells; (2) The three natural products also decreased EGF- and PMA-induced MUC5AC mucin gene expression in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest that quercitrin, quercetin and afzelin showed the regulatory effect on the steps of gene expression and production of mucin, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells.