Herbal Compounds in the Treatment of Pulmonary Silicosis

Abstract

Herbal compounds including those already well-established in traditional Chinese medicine have been increasingly tested in the treatment of various diseases. Recent studies have shown that herbal compounds can be of benefit also for pulmonary silicosis as they can diminish changes associated with silica-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Due to a lack of effective therapeutic strategies, development of novel approaches which may be introduced particularly in the early stage of the disease, is urgently needed. This review summarizes positive effects of several alternative plant-based drugs in the models of experimental silicosis with a potential for subsequent clinical investigation and use in future.

Green Tea Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG): A Time for a New Player in the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases?

“…Therefore, searching for natural-based compounds seems to be a promising approach. Among the possibilities of prevention and treatment for respiratory diseases, natural flavonoids, a wide group of polyphenolic compounds present in plants, should be considered [ 32 , 33 ]. For instance, a polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) occurring in the green tea plant ( Camellia sinensis ) has demonstrated a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects, which may also be useful for the treatment of respiratory diseases [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Identificación temprana, diagnóstico preciso y tratamiento de la silicosis

“…La tetrandrina, aprobada para tratar la silicosis en China [49], puede inhibir la inflamación y la fibrosis en las vías respiratorias, mejorando la función pulmonar [50]. En los últimos años, se ha documentado que los compuestos herbales desencadenan la generación de ROS, suprimen la activación de los inflamasomas y presentan efectos antiinflamatorios y antifibróticos [51]. Los ensayos clínicos han demostrado que la función pulmonar, la calidad de vida y la capacidad para el ejercicio de los pacientes mejoran significativamente tras el tratamiento con medicamentos chinos tradicionales [52].…”

Animal models of silicosis: fishing for new therapeutic targets and treatments

“…To date, many drug libraries are available for testing in in vitro and in vivo models [ 128 ]. Beyond the design of novel drugs and discovery and the testing of already FDA-approved drugs, screening natural products for anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity also seems to be a good approach [ 56 ]. Herbal compounds may be beneficial for pulmonary silicosis considering their biological relevance, characteristics and diversity.…”