Protective Effect of on PM-Induced Pulmonary Damage in BALB/c Mice via the TGF-β and NF-κB Pathway.

This study aimed to assess the protective effect of an extract of against particulate-matter (PM)-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The compounds with physiological activity were identified as shanzhiside, secologanoside, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, secologanic acid, secoxyloganin, quercetin pentoside, and dicaffeoyl quinic acids (DCQA), including 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, 4,5-DCQA, and 1,4-DCQA using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The extract of reduced cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammation in A549 cells. The extract of decreased serum T cells, including CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and total T helper 2 (Th2) cells, and immunoglobulins, including immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE), in PM-induced BALB/c mice. The extract of protected the pulmonary antioxidant system by regulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, it ameliorated mitochondrial function by regulating the production of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP contents. Moreover, the extract of exhibited a protective activity of apoptosis, fibrosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in lung tissues. This study suggests that the extract of might be a potential material to improve PM-induced pulmonary inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis.