Salidroside Mitigates Airway Inflammation in Asthmatic Mice via the AMPK/Akt/GSK3β Signaling Pathway

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of salidroside (SAL) in airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. Methods: Mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish an asthma model. They were divided into the control group, OVA group, SAL low-dose group (SAL-L), SAL high-dose group (SAL-H), and dexamethasone (DXM) group. The airway reactivity of the mice was measured, and the total cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes were counted, respectively. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-gamma in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of p-AMPK, p-Akt, and p-GSK3 beta. Western blot was used to detect cytokine levels in lung tissue and p-AMPK, p-Akt, and p-GSK3 beta levels in LPS-induced 16HBE cells. Results: The airway hyperresponsiveness of asthmatic mice in the SAL-H group decreased (p < 0.05), and the total number of cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the airways of mice showed airway inflammatory infiltration and goblet cell proliferation, and the corresponding cellular inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were significantly decreased. However, the expression of IFN-gamma in BALF and lung tissues was increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, after the mice were treated with SAL, the phosphorylation level of AMPK was significantly increased, which further reduced the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3 beta (p < 0.05). Both SAL and AMPK inhibitors exerted effects on LPS-induced 16HBE cells, consistent with in vivo results. Conclusion: SAL can inhibit bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reduce tracheal inflammation by increasing AMPK phosphorylation and inhibiting Akt and GSK3 beta signaling pathways.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated that SAL can inhibit bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reduce airway inflammation by increasing AMPK phosphorylation and inhibiting Akt and GSK3 beta signaling pathways. The results showed that SAL significantly decreased levels of airway inflammatory factors in asthmatic mice and reduced airway inflammation infiltration and goblet cell proliferation.