Effect of fermented Lonicera japonica on LPS-induced acute lung inflammation

Lonicera japonica that had been fermented with Lactobacillus casei (KCCM 10766P) was evaluated to determine if it exerted a protective effect against lipopolysaccaride (LPS) induced lung inflammation. In this study, LPS was administrated to Balb/c mice to induce a disease that resembles COPD. Two hours prior to LPS administration, mice were treated once with Fermented LJ (FLJ) via oral gavage. The total cell and neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were counted and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in BAL fluid were measured. Lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for histologic evaluation. Neutrophil elastase (NE) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were assessed by immunohistochemistry. On days 3 and 7 after LPS stimulation, an influx of neutrophils was noted, but the total cell number was significantly decreased in the FLJ group compared to the LPS group. In addition, TNF-a and IL-6 levels in BAL fluid were decreased in the FLJ group. Histologic results also demonstrated the attenuation effect of FLJ on LPS-induced lung inflammations. These data suggest that FLJ has a protective effect on LPS-induced lung inflammation. Therefore, fermented herbal medicine may represent a novel therapeutic agent for lung inflammation and in particular for COPD.