Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2012, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (2): 200-209.doi: 10.3736/jcim20120211

• Original Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preventive effects of Citrus reticulata essential oil on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and the mechanism

Zhou Xian-mei1(),Zhao Yang1,He Cui-cui2,Li Jian-xin2   

  1. 1. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
    2. State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2011-08-29 Accepted:2011-10-08 Online:2012-02-20 Published:2018-10-09

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of essential oil of Citrus reticulata (EOCR) on proliferation of human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs), and to explore its protective effects on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats.
METHODS: Routinely cultured HELFs during the logarithmic phase of growth were divided into control and treated groups, and applied for evaluation of inhibitory activity using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A rat model of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis was used for the evaluation of antifibrotic effect of EOCR. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, prednisone group and different doses of EOCR groups. BLM was intratracheally instilled into all the rats except those in the normal group, and EOCR was orally given to BLM-treated rats at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg once per day for four weeks. The rats in the normal group were intratracheally administered the same volume of saline. On the 28th day, rats were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the serum and lung tissues were collected. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in serum and lung tissues were analyzed with corresponding kits; type Ⅰ collagen (Col Ⅰ) content in lung tissues was evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by lung histology; protein and mRNA expressions of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in lung tissues were measured with immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization semiquantitative image analyses, respectively.
RESULTS: The EOCR at different concentrations displayed inhibitory activity on proliferation of HELFs. In in vivo experiment, the weight gain of the rats in groups treated with EOCR at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day was significantly higher than those in the model group at the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The scores of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in the groups treated with EOCR at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg per day were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.01); the SOD levels in serum and pulmonary tissues of the EOCR (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) groups were markedly increased compared with the model group (P<0.01 ), while the MDA levels in both serum and pulmonary tissues were markedly reduced (P<0.05); the Col Ⅰ level in pulmonary tissues of the EOCR (100 and 200 mg/kg per day) groups were markedly lower than that of the model group (P<0.01); the protein and mRNA expressions of CTGF in the groups treated with EOCR at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg per day were down-regulated compared with the model group (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that EOCR has preventive effects on BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. The mechanism may be via adjusting the unbalance of oxidation and antioxidation, down-regulating CTGF protein and mRNA expressions, and reducing collagen deposition and fibrosis.

Key words: Pericarpium citri reticulatae, essential oil, human embryonic lung fibroblasts, pulmonary fibrosis, bleomycin, rats

"

Group n Inhibition rate
Control 5 0.00±21.92
EOCR 300 μg/mL 5 46.64±1.12*
EOCR 150 μg/mL 5 49.74±5.75*
EOCR 15 μg/mL 5 54.52±0.45*
EOCR 5 μg/mL 5 44.19±2.71*
EOCR 0.5 μg/mL 5 41.86±6.71*

"

Group n Body weight gain
7th day 14th day 21st day 28th day
Normal 6 35.8±8.7 56.7±15.1 88.3±20.4 117.5±18.1
Model 6 –14.2±12.9 8.3±18.4△△ 24.2±27.1△△ 47.5±29.1△△
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 –24.2±10.7 –2.5±21.7 18.3±10.8 37.5±17.0
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 –9.2±26.0 –7.5±28.9 23.3±38.5 54.2±24.8
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 25.0±13.5▲▲ 31.7±22.1 60.0±25.2 90.8±21.3
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 23.3±18.4▲▲ 37.5±25.7 74.2±24.0▲▲ 105.0±20.0
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 22.5±28.8▲▲ 32.5±20.4 81.7±18.9▲▲ 105.0±20.5

Figure 1

Histological analysis of lung tissues observed under a light microscope (hematoxylin and eosin staining, ×100) A: Normal group; B: Model group; C: Prednisone group; D, E, F and G: Groups of rats treated with essential oil of Citrus reticulata at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day, respectively."

"

Group n Alveolitis Fibrosis
+ ++ +++ + ++ +++
Normal 6 4 2 0 0 4 1 1 0
Model 6 0 1 2 3△△ 0 0 1 5△△
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 1 3 1 1 0 2 3 1
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 0 1 4 1 0 1 3 2
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 1 2 2 1 0 1 4 1▲▲
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 2 3 1 0 1 2 3 0▲▲
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 2 3 1 0 1 3 2 0▲▲

"

Group n Superoxide dismutase
Serum (U/mL) Lung tissues (U/mg protein)
Normal 6 166.03±13.61 131.81±5.82
Model 6 137.09±13.16 93.32±6.78
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 151.23±4.52 107.79±16.34▲▲
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 139.08±13.96 90.50±6.68
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 155.59±7.11▲▲ 116.33±11.64▲▲
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 159.48±9.01▲▲ 131.48±3.72▲▲
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 157.40±9.06▲▲ 128.48±4.83▲▲

"

Group n Malondialdehyde
Serum (nmol/mL) Lung tissues (nmol/mg protein)
Normal 6 1.00±0.41 9.92±2.77
Model 6 2.75±0.80 24.35±9.10
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 1.83±0.73 16.51±3.58
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 2.22±0.97 19.56±7.09
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 1.63±0.75▲▲ 17.00±3.58
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 1.14±0.56▲▲ 12.65±2.53▲▲
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 1.17±0.46▲▲ 10.87±5.37▲▲

"

Group n Type Ⅰ collagen content (μg/g wet lung)
Normal 6 57.53±7.23
Model 6 83.05±9.84△△
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 71.41±12.73▲▲
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 79.27±13.71
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 74.22±4.65
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 66.03±9.33
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 65.64±6.62

Figure 2

Expression of connective tissue grouth factor protein in lung tissues observed under a light microscope (Immunohistological method, ×400) A: Normal group; B: Model group; C: Prednisone group; D, E, F and G: Groups of rats treated with essential oil of Citrus reticulata at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day, respectively."

Figure 3

Expression of connective tissue grouth factor mRNA in lung tissues observed under a light microscope (In situ hybridization, ×400) A: Normal group; B: Model group; C: Prednisone group; D, E, F and G: Groups of rats treated with essential oil of Citrus reticulata at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day, respectively."

"

Group n CTGF
Protein integral mRNA integral
Normal 6 37.07±4.27 42.94±6.86
Model 6 52.92±8.01△△ 77.09±9.61△△
Prednisone 5 mg/kg 6 44.23±4.41 54.07±6.28▲▲
EOCR 25 mg/kg 6 49.50±8.45 70.08±8.32
EOCR 50 mg/kg 6 47.44±3.14 68.70±11.27
EOCR 100 mg/kg 6 38.08±8.38▲▲ 49.27±9.10▲▲
EOCR 200 mg/kg 6 35.92±5.11▲▲ 46.64±9.97▲▲
[1] Han MK, Swigris J, Liu L, Bartholmai B, Murray S, Giardino N, Thompson B, Frederick M, Li D, Schwarz M, Limper A, Flaherty K, Martinez FJ . Gender influences Health-Related Quality of Life in IPF. Respir Med. 2010; 104(5):724-730.
doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2009.11.019 pmid: 2862780
[2] Agarwal R, Jindal SK . Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review. Eur J Intern Med. 2008; 19(4):227-235.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2007.04.024 pmid: 18471669
[3] Bringardner BD, Baran CP, Eubank TD, Marsh CB . The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2008; 10(2):287-301.
doi: 10.1089/ars.2007.1897
[4] Harari S, Caminati A . IPF: new insight on pathogenesis and treatment. Allergy. 2010 ; 65(5) : 537-553.
doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02305.x pmid: 20121758
[5] Parra ER, Kairalla RA , Ribeiro de Carvalho CR, Eher E, Capelozzi VL. Inflammatory cell phenotyping of the pulmonary interstitium in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Respiration. 2007; 74(2):159-169.
doi: 10.1159/000097133 pmid: 17108669
[6] Dempsey DJ . Clinical review: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis —past, present and future. Respir Med. 2006; 100(11):1871-1885.
doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.08.017 pmid: 16987645
[7] Gomer RH, Lupher ML Jr . Investigational approaches to therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2010; 19(6):737-745.
doi: 10.1517/13543784.2010.484018 pmid: 20443753
[8] Yang J, Cui Y, Kolb M . How useful is traditional herbal medicine for pulmonary fibrosis? Respirology. 2009; 14(8) : 1082-1091.
doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2009.01644.x pmid: 19909458
[9] Jiang HD, Guan HS . MS80, a novel sulfated oligosaccharide, inhibits pulmonary fibrosis by targeting TGF- betal both in vitro and in vivo. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2009; 30(7) : 973-979.
doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.86
[10] Zhou XM, Zhang GC, Li JX, Hou J . Inhibitory effects of citrus extracts on the experimental pulmonary fibrosis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 ; 111(2) : 255-264.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.11.029 pmid: 17188826
[11] Zhou XM, Huang MM, He CC, Li JX . Inhibitory effects of citrus extracts on the experimental pulmonary fibrosis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 126(1):143-148.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.025 pmid: 19643175
[12] Peterson JJ, Dwyer JT, Beecher GR, Bhagwat SA, Gebhardt SE, Haytowitz DB, Holden JM . Flavanones in oranges, tangerines (mandarins), tangors, and tangelos: a compilation and review of the data from the analytical literature. J Food Compost Anal. 2006; 19(Suppl):S66-S73.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfca.2005.12.006
[13] Yu L, Li X, Liu S, Xu G, Liang Y . Comparative analysis of volatile constituents in Citrus reticulata Blanco using GC-MS and alternative moving window factor analysis. J Sep Sci. 2009; 32(20):3457-3465.
doi: 10.1002/jssc.v32:20
[14] Xu P . Comparison of pharmacological effects in water extract and essential oil of Citrus reticulata. Jiangxi Zhong Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 1998; 10(4) : 172-173. Chinese.
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-9431.1998.04.022
徐彭 . 陈皮水提物和陈皮挥发油的药理作用比较.江西中医学院学报. 1998; 10(4):172-173.
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-9431.1998.04.022
[15] China Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the Peopled Republic of China (part one). 2005 ed. Beijing: Chemical Industry Press. 2005: 53. Chinese.
国家药典委员会. 中华人民共和国药典(一部).2005 年版.北京: 化学工业出版社. 2005: 53.
[16] Szapiel SV, Elson NA, Fulmer JD, Hunninghake GW, Crystal RG . Bleomycin-induced interstitial pulmonary disease in the nude, a thymic mouse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1979; 120(4) : 893-839.
doi: 10.1164/arrd.1979.120.4.893 pmid: 92208
[17] Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K . Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal Biochem. 1979; 95(2) : 351-358.
doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(79)90738-3
[18] Oyanagui Y . Reevaluation of assay methods and establishment of kit for superoxide dismutase activity. Anal Biochem. 1984; 142(2):290-296.
doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(84)90467-6
[19] Kohyama T, Yamauchi Y, Takizawa H, Itakura S, Kamitani S, Kato J, Nagase T . Clarithromycin inhibits fibroblast migration. Respir Med. 2008; 102(12):1769-1776.
doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2008.06.020
[20] Chua F, Gauldie J, Laurent GJ . Pulmonary fibrosis: searching for model answers. Am[J] Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2005; 33(1):9-13.
doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2005-0062TR
[21] Moeller A, Ask K, Warburton D, Gauldie J, Kolb M . The bleomycin animal model : a useful tool to investigate treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2008; 40(3) : 362-382.
doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.08.011
[22] Gharaee-Kermani M, Ullenbruch M, Phan SH . Animal models of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods Mol Med. 2005; 117:251-259.
doi: 10.1385/1-59259-940-0:251 pmid: 16118457
[23] Gao F, Kinnula VL, Myllarniemi M, Oury TD . Extracellular superoxide dismutase in pulmonary fibrosis. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2008; 10(2):343-354.
doi: 10.1089/ars.2007.1908 pmid: 2290736
[24] Boyaci H, Maral H, Turan G, Basyiğit I, Dillioğlugil MÖ, Yildiz F, Tugay M, Pala A, Ercin C . Effects of erdosteine on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006; 281(1-2):129-137.
doi: 10.1007/s11010-006-0640-3 pmid: 16328965
[25] Cairns JA, Walls AF . Mast cell tryptase stimulates the synjournal of type I collagen in human lung fibroblasts. J Clin Invest. 1997; 99(6):1313-1321.
doi: 10.1172/JCI119290
[26] Kothapalli D, Frazier KS, Welply A, Segarini PR, Grotendorst GR . Transforming growth factor beta induces anchorage-independent growth of NRK fibroblasts via a connective tissue growth factor-dependent signaling pathway. Cell Growth Differ. 1997 ; 8(1):61-68.
[27] Scotton CJ, Chambers RC . Molecular targets in pulmonary fibrosis : the myofibroblast in focus. Chest. 2007 ; 132(4):1311-1321.
doi: 10.1378/chest.06-2568
[1] Na Zhi, Qian Mo, Shuo Yang, Yuan-xing Qin, Hao Chen, Zeng-guang Wu, Cai-hong Lan, Jun Zhang, Yin-long Li. Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in one convalescent patient with corona virus disease 2019 by oral traditional Chinese medicine decoction: A case report. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(2): 185-190.
[2] Bing-rong Li, Shi-yun Shao, Long Yuan, Ru Jia, Jian Sun, Qing Ji, Hua Sui, Li-hong Zhou, Yi Zhang, Hui Liu, Qi Li, Yan Wang, Bi-meng Zhang. Effects of mild moxibustion on intestinal microbiome and NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(2): 144-157.
[3] Sitthichai Iamsaard, Supatcharee Arun, Jaturon Burawat, Supataechasit Yannasithinon, Saranya Tongpan, Sudtida Bunsueb, Natthapol Lapyuneyong, Pannawat Choowong-in, Nareelak Tangsrisakda, Chadaporn Chaimontri, Wannisa Sukhorum. Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and reproductive toxicity of aqueous extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens seeds. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(3): 265-273.
[4] Xue-qing Yu, Shu-guang Yang, Yang Xie, Jian-sheng Li. Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on syndrome differentiation: Study protocol of exploratory trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(2): 163-168.
[5] Morufu Eyitayo Balogun, Elizabeth Enohnyaket Besong, Jacinta Nkechi Obimma, Ogochukwu Sophia Mbamalu, Fankou Serges Athanase Djobissie. Protective roles of Vigna subterranea (Bambara nut) in rats with aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(5): 342-349.
[6] Lucky Legbosi Nwidu, Raphael Ellis Teme. Hot aqueous leaf extract of Lasianthera africana (Icacinaceae) attenuates rifampicin-isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(4): 263-272.
[7] Hoda Mojiri-Forushani, Ali Asghar Hemmati, Mohammad Amin Dehghani, Ali Reza Malayeri, Hossein Hassan Pour. Effects of herbal extracts and compounds and pharmacological agents on pulmonary fibrosis in animal models: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2017, 15(6): 433-441.
[8] Kylie Connolly, Douglas Jackson, Candice Pullen, Andrew Fenning. Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonism by Crassostrea gigas oyster extract inhibits noradrenaline-induced vascular contraction in Wistar rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(3): 194-200.
[9] Udhaya Lavinya Baskaran, Sherry Joseph Martin, Rasool Mahaboobkhan, Sabina Evan Prince. Protective role of Triphala, an Indian traditional herbal formulation, against the nephrotoxic effects of bromobenzene in Wistar albino rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(2): 115-121.
[10] Hussein O. B. Oloyede, Matthew C. Adaja, Taofeek O. Ajiboye, Musa O. Salawu. Anti-ulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Carica papaya seed on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in male albino rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(2): 105-114.
[11] Anirudha A. Lande, Shirishkumar D. Ambavade, Uma S. Swami, Prafulla P. Adkara Prashant D. Ambavade, Arun B. Waghamare. Saponins isolated from roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(1): 25-33.
[12] Elizabeth Abidemi Balogun, Sylvia Orume Malomo, Joseph Oluwatope Adebayo, Ahmed Adebayo Ishola, Ayodele Olufemi Soladoye, Lawrence Aderemi Olatunji, Olatunji Matthew Kolawole, Stephen Olubunmi Oguntoye, Abiola Samuel Babatunde, Oluwole Busayo Akinola . In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(6): 504-511.
[13] Urmila Aswar, Mayuri Gurav, Ganesh More, Khaled Rashed, Manoj Aswar. Effect of aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. on postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 439-446.
[14] Xin-fang Zhang, Ji Zhu, Wen-ye Geng, Shu-jun Zhao, Chuan-wei Jiang, Sheng-rong Cai, Miao Cheng, Chuan-yun Zhou, Zi-bing Liu. Electroacupuncture at Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36) down-regulates the expression of orexins and their receptors in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 417-424.
[15] Benjamin Perry, Junzeng Zhang, Tarek Saleh, Yanwen Wang. Liuwei Dihuang, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, suppresses chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 447-454.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Wei-xiong Liang. Problems-solving strategies in clinical treatment guideline for traditional Chinese medicine and integrative medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 1-4
[2] Zhao-guo Li. Discussion on English translation of commonly used sentences in traditional Chinese medicine: part one. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 107-110
[3] Jun Hu, Jian-ping Liu. Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 31
[4] Xue-mei Liu, Qi-fu Huang, Yun-ling Zhang, Jin-li Lou, Hong-sheng Liu, Hong Zheng. Effects of Tribulus terrestris L. saponion on apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 45-50
[5] . Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: Writing and editing for biomedical publication (Chinese version, part two). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1001-1005
[6] Daniel Weber, Janelle M Wheat, Geoffrey M Currie. Inflammation and cancer: Tumor initiation, progression and metastasis,and Chinese botanical medicines. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1006-1013
[7] Hong Liu , Guo-liang Zhang, Li Shen , Zhen Zeng, Bao-luo Zhou, Cheng-hai Liu, Guang Nie . Application and evaluation of a pseudotyped virus assay for screening herbs for anti-H5Nl avian influenza virus. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1036-1040
[8] Zhao-guo Li . A discussion of English translation of 1995 and 1997 Chinese National Standards of Traditional Chinese Medical Terminologies for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1090-1096
[9] Rui Jin, Bing Zhang. A complexity analysis of Chinese herbal property theory: the multiple formations of herbal property (Part 1). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1198-1205
[10] Hui-min Liu, Xian-bo Wang, Yu-juan Chang, Li-li Gu. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of integrative medicine therapy for treatment of chronic severe hepatitis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1211-1228