Methyl lucidone inhibits airway inflammatory response by reducing TAK1 activity in human bronchial epithelial NCI-H292 cells

Background: Methyl lucidone (ML), a methyl derivative of lucidone, has anti-inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanisms that reduce the inflammatory effect of ML in human lung epithelial cells remain unkown. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of ML.Methods: Four compounds (ML, methyl linderone, kanakugiol, and linderone) from Lindera erythrocarpa Makino were evaluated for their ability to reduce MUC5AC secretion levels in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated NCI-H292 cells using ELISA. The expression and secretion levels of inflammatory response-related proteins were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, ELISA, and western blotting. To determine whether ML directly regulates TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), we performed an in vitro kinase assay.Results: ML treatment effectively reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta and TNF-alpha, increased by stimulation. Furthermore, ML downregulated the pathway cascade of both I kappa B kinase (IKK)/NF-kappa B and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/CREB by inhibiting the upstream kinase TAK1. An in vitro kinase analysis confirmed that ML treatment significantly reduced the kinase activity of TAK1.Conclusion: ML pretreatment repressed the PMA-stimulated inflammation reaction by reducing the TAK1-mediated IKK/NF-kappa B and p38 MAP kinase/CREB signaling. These findings suggest that ML may improve respiratory health and can be used as a dietary supplement or functional food to prevent inflammatory lung diseases.