Effects of dihydroxy-stilbene compound Vam3 on airway inflammation, expression of ICAM-1, activities of NF-κB and MMP-9 in asthmatic mice

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Vam3 which is one of the dihydroxy- stilbene compounds on expressions of ICAM-1 in the lungs of OVA-induced asthmatic mice and the mechanisms of anti-airway inflammation.  Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA inhalation.  Lung tissues were stained with Mayer’s hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination.  The expression of ICAM-1 in the lungs of mice was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry method.  The NF-κB activities were detected by NF-κB-luc reporter genetic transient transfection method.  The activities of MMP-9 induced by LPS, TNF-α and PMA in THP-1 cells were determined by gelatin zymography method.  The results showed that Vam3 could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the OVA-induced mouse model.  In addition, Vam3 could significantly  suppress the activities of NF-κB in A549 cells and MMP-9 in THP-1 cells induced by LPS, TNF-α and PMA.  These results suggested that Vam3 could alleviate the asthmatic inflammation by decreasing ICAM-1 expression in asthmatic mice, down regulating NF-κB and MMP-9 activities.  Compound Vam3 showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory signal pathways involved in asthma.