• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives In this study, the author intended to investigate whether Gami-cheongpetang (GCP), Gagam-jeongkitang (GJG), Gami-samooltang (GSM) and Gami-ijoongtang (GIJ) significantly affect in vivo (animal model) and in vitro (cultured cells) mucin secretion and MUC5AC gene expression in airway epithelial cells. Methods For in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucin in rats by introducing SO2 for 3 weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the effects of orally-administered GCP, GJG, GSM and GIJ in vivo mucin secretion from tracheal goblet cells of rats after 1 week. Also, the effects of the agents on TNF- or EGF-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Possible cytotoxicities of the agents were assessed by examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Results (1) GCP and GJG significantly inhibited hypersecretion of in vivo mucin, although GSM and GIJ did not affect hypersecretion of in vivo mucin; (2) GCP and GJG significantly increased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells. However, GSM and GIJ did not affect in vitro mucin secretion from HTSE cells; (3) GCP and GJG significantly inhibited the expression levels of EGF-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells. However, GSM and GIJ increased the expression levels of EGF-induced MUC 5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells; (4) GCP, GJG, GSM and GIJ did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions These results suggest that GCP, GJG, GSM and GIJ can not only affect the secretion of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene. The author suggests that the effects of GCP, GJG, GSM and GIJ with their components should be further investigated by using animal experimental models that simulate the diverse pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases.