Anti-inflammatory Activity of Absinthin and Derivatives in Human Bronchoepithelial Cells.

Bitter taste receptors (hTAS2R) are expressed ectopically in various tissues, raising the possibility of a pharmacological exploitation. This seems of particular relevance in airways, since hTAS2Rs are involved in the protection of the aerial tissues from infections and in bronchodilation. The bis-guaianolide absinthin (), one of the most bitter compounds known, targets the hTAS2R46 bitter receptor.