Artemisinin protected human bronchial epithelial cells from amiodarone-induced oxidative damage via 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation.

Background: Amiodarone, a common antiarrhythmic drug, is known for its severe side effects, including pulmonary toxicity, which involves oxidative stress and apoptosis. Artemisinin, an antimalarial drug, has shown cytoprotective properties by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study investigated the protective effects of artemisinin against amiodarone-induced toxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and mouse models.

Results: In vitro experiments revealed that amiodarone decreased cell viability, increased LDH release, ROS generation, caspase 3 activation, and apoptosis in BEAS-2B cells. Artemisinin counteracted these effects by upregulating p-AMPK, CaMKK2, Nrf2, and SOD1 protein levels, thereby protecting the cells from oxidative damage. The protective effect of artemisinin was diminished by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C or AMPKα knockdown. In vivo experiments demonstrated that artemisinin increased p-AMPK and Nrf2 protein levels in lung tissues, protecting against amiodarone-induced apoptosis and bronchial epithelial cell shedding in mice.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that artemisinin protects airway epithelial cells and lung tissue from amiodarone-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through AMPK activation, offering potential new strategies for preventing and treating amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity.