Allium sativum nanovesicles exhibit anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and highly fatal disease characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), foci of myofibroblasts, and a usual pattern of interstitial pneumonia. As suggested by international guidelines, the treatment for this disease involves supportive therapies, as there is currently no effective treatment. Plant-derived nanovesicles have emerged as a new treatment for various diseases and have been tested in cellular and murine models.

Methods and results: This research aimed to test the use of Allium sativum nanovesicles (AS-NV) in a murine model of IPF induced by bleomycin. AS-NV reduced the amount of collagen and restored lung architecture in the mouse model. AS-NV was tested on human lung fibroblasts, which do not affect the viability of healthy cells. AS-NV treatment decreases the mRNA levels of genes related to fibrosis, inflammation, and ECM deposition (Mmp2,Timp-2,Vegf,Pcna,Col1a1,Tgf-β,α-Sma,IL-1β,and Hif1a) in bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Conclusions: This research highlights the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity of AS-NV, which contributes to plant nanovesicle mechanisms in IPF; however, more AS-NV studies are needed to identify alternative treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.