In vivo study for Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Curcuma longa and Tinospora cordifolia against Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with no known cause. It is a severe condition characterized by the accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lungs, leading to difficulty in oxygen intake. In this study, the researchers aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of Curcuma longa and Tinospora cordifolia extracts in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The mice were divided into groups and treated with either the extracts, pirfenidone (a commonly used IPF treatment), or a control. The effects of these treatments on lung edema, body weight, antioxidant enzyme activity, collagen content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed. The results showed that treatment with the extracts and pirfenidone led to improvements in lung edema and body weight compared to the bleomycin group. The extracts also exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by increasing the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes while reducing MPO activity. Furthermore, the extracts reduced collagen content, indicating a potential anti-fibrotic effect. Histological analysis of lung tissue confirmed the beneficial effects of the extracts, showing reduced lung damage, inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition. These findings suggest that Curcuma longa and Tinospora cordifolia extracts may have therapeutic potential in treating IPF. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of Curcuma longa and Tinospora cordifolia extracts in a bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to determine their efficacy in human IPF patients. These findings highlight the potential of traditional medicines as alternative or complementary treatments for IPF, offering advantages such as long-term duration, low adverse effects and stable therapeutic impact.