Tanshinone IIA attenuates airway inflammation and airway remodeling in bronchial asthma by inhibiting p38/NF-κB and AKT/HIF-1α.

OBJECTIVE

Airway inflammation and remodeling are key pathological features of bronchial asthma, yet the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Tan IIA on airway inflammation and remodeling and to elucidate the underlying signaling mechanisms.

METHODS

A chronic bronchial asthma mouse model was established and complemented by in vitro studies using human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBEs) and human tracheal smooth muscle cells (HTSMCs). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammatory cell counts and relevant mediators were assessed. Histological analyses were performed to evaluate airway inflammatory injury and remodeling changes. Mechanistic investigations examined p38 and AKT phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and HIF-1α in vivo, with validation in cell-based experiments.

RESULTS

Tan IIA reduced Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), remodeling-associated factors (VEGF and TGF-β1), and the numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in BALF. Histopathological assessment showed that Tan IIA alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial damage, basement membrane thickening, goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus hypersecretion, and subepithelial collagen deposition. Mechanistically, Tan IIA decreased phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and HIF-1α in vivo. These findings were corroborated in vitro: in 16HBEs, Tan IIA suppressed p-p38 activation and NF-κB nuclear translocation, whereas in HTSMCs, it reduced p-AKT levels and inhibited HIF-1α nuclear translocation.

CONCLUSION

Tan IIA attenuates airway inflammation and remodeling by inhibiting the p38/NF-κB and AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathways, supporting Tan IIA as a promising therapeutic candidate for bronchial asthma.