Protective effect and mechanism of Ecliptae Herba on cigarette smoke extract-induced cytotoxicity of NHBE cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Ecliptae Herba extract on cigarette smoke extract-induced cytotoxicity. METHOD: The effect of Ecliptae Herba extract on CSE-induced NHBE cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. GSH content was determined by DTNB colorimetry. GST activity was measured by CDNB colorimetric assay. NQO1 activity was detected by NADPH and DCIP. The protein expression was determined by Western blot assay. RESULT: Ecliptae Herba extract reduced CSE's inhibitory effect on NHBE cells, recover the decrease in intracellular GSH caused by CSE and reduce the CSE-induced activity of GST and NQO1 and NQO1 protein expression. CONCLUSION: Ecliptae Herba extract can reduce CSE-induced injury on NHBE cells, which may be related to phase II detoxification enzymes.