Tea Polyphenols Selectively Inhibit Proliferation and Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) have been recommended as a target for the treatment of inflammation and narrowing of the airways in asthma. New safe and efficient approaches to relieve symptoms caused by ASMCs is highly desired. Inspired by the inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), tea polyphenols were applied in the current work to evaluate their regulation of ASMCs in vitro. A dose-dependent decrease of ASMCs density was observed after 24 h incubation with tea polyphenols. Additionally, ASMCs were significantly more sensitive to tea polyphenols than human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Tea polyphenol treatment led to a dose dependent inhibition on ASMC migration and reduced the gene expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In studies which compared the four main polyphenolic constituents of tea polyphenols—including epicatechin (EC), epicatechingallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechingallate (EGCG)—on the proliferation of ASMCs, EGC was identified as being the most potent. These results suggest tea polyphenols are a promising agent for ASMCs targeted asthma control.