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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

Bei Mu Gua Lou San facilitates mucus expectoration by increasing surface area and hydration levels of airway mucus in an air-liquid-interface cell culture model of the respiratory epithelium

Authors: Silvia Groiss, Ina Somvilla, Christine Daxböck, Manuela Stückler, Elisabeth Pritz, Dagmar Brislinger

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Bei Mu Gua Lou San (BMGLS) is an ancient formulation known for its moisturizing and expectorant properties, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated concentration-dependent effects of BMGLS on its rehydrating and mucus-modulating properties using an air-liquid-interface (ALI) cell culture model of the Calu-3 human bronchial epithelial cell line and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), and specifically focused on quantity and composition of the two major mucosal proteins MUC5AC and MUC5B.

Methods

ALI cultures were treated with BMGLS at different concentrations over three weeks and evaluated by means of histology, immunostaining and electron microscopy. MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA levels were assessed and quantified on protein level using an automated image-based approach. Additionally, expression levels of the major mucus-stimulating enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) were evaluated.

Results

BMGLS induced concentration-dependent morphological changes in NHBE but not Calu-3 ALI cultures that resulted in increased surface area via the formation of herein termed intra-epithelial structures (IES). While cellular rates of proliferation, apoptosis or degeneration remained unaffected, BMGLS caused swelling of mucosal granules, increased the area of secreted mucus, decreased muco-glycoprotein density, and dispensed MUC5AC. Additionally, BMGLS reduced expression levels of MUC5AC, MUC5B and the mucus-stimulating enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15).

Conclusions

Our studies suggest that BMGLS rehydrates airway mucus while stimulating mucus secretion by increasing surface areas and regulating goblet cell differentiation through modulating major mucus-stimulating pathways.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Bei Mu Gua Lou San facilitates mucus expectoration by increasing surface area and hydration levels of airway mucus in an air-liquid-interface cell culture model of the respiratory epithelium
Authors
Silvia Groiss
Ina Somvilla
Christine Daxböck
Manuela Stückler
Elisabeth Pritz
Dagmar Brislinger
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04251-x

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