Natural Product-Based Potential Therapeutic Interventions of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a disease-refractive lung condition with an increased rate of mortality. The potential factors causing PF include viral infections, radiation exposure, and toxic airborne chemicals. Idiopathic PF (IPF) is related to pneumonia affecting the elderly and is characterized by recurring scar formation in the lungs. An impaired wound healing process, defined by the dysregulated aggregation of extracellular matrix components, triggers fibrotic scar formation in the lungs. The potential pathogenesis includes oxidative stress, altered cell signaling, inflammation, etc. Nintedanib and pirfenidone have been approved with a conditional endorsement for the management of IPF. In addition, natural product-based treatment strategies have shown promising results in treating PF. In this study, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products, classified into three types—isolated active compounds, crude extracts of plants, and traditional medicine, consisting of mixtures of different plant products—in treating PF. These natural products are promising in the treatment of PF via inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial mesenchymal transition, as well as affecting TGF-β-mediated cell signaling, etc. Based on the current review, we have revealed the signaling mechanisms of PF pathogenesis and the potential opportunities offered by natural product-based medicine in treating PF.

Betanin protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the NLRP3/IL-1β/TGF-β1 pathway-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

“…The potential benefits of natural products include their robust safety standards and numerous biological properties, which are vital elements in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. 27 Accordingly, natural products with potent anti-inflammatory effects were considered for preventing pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 patients. 26 Thus, we investigated the protective impact of BET, the most abundant compound in beetroot, against the NLRP3-mediated EMT in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.…”

Hydrolyzed Collagen Induces an Anti-Inflammatory Response That Induces Proliferation of Skin Fibroblast and Keratinocytes

“…An excessive release of these pro-inflammatory cytokines may activate another important signaling pathway that is involved in inflammation and tissue repair and also in fibrosis in the case of excessive activation, which is modulated by the growth factors TGF-β [ 20 ] and VEGF [ 21 ]. TGF-β is a classical pro-fibrotic factor that provides a key role in wound healing when present at physiological levels [ 22 ]. On the other hand, excessive levels of TGF-β result in an impaired wound-healing process characterized by the dysregulated aggregation of extracellular matrix components, triggering fibrotic scar formation [ 22 ].…”

“…TGF-β is a classical pro-fibrotic factor that provides a key role in wound healing when present at physiological levels [ 22 ]. On the other hand, excessive levels of TGF-β result in an impaired wound-healing process characterized by the dysregulated aggregation of extracellular matrix components, triggering fibrotic scar formation [ 22 ]. In the present study, it was found that LPS stimulation plus hydrolyzed collagen in fibroblasts and keratinocytes induced an increase in the expression of TGF-β, demonstrating for the first time that hydrolyzed collagen-induced TGF-β expression.…”

Potential effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A on reducing pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis due to SARS-COV2

“…This mediator is most commonly involved in the mechanism of lung fibrosis. 52 There has been previous research on this using HYSA for treating lung fibrosis. Previous research with mice reported that HYSA reduces expression of TGF-β, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen I mRNA levels.…”