The Influence of BuqiHuoxueTongluo Formula on Histopathology and Pulmonary Function Test in Bleomycin‐Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

Abstract

BuqiHuoxueTongluo Formula (BHTF) is an effective herbal prescription based on traditional Chinese medicine for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of BHTF on induced IPF model through the aspect of histopathology and pulmonary function test. Wistar rats with bleomycin-induced IPF were given BHTF via intragastric gavage. After 14 days and 28 days of treatment, respectively, on these two time points, we first performed pulmonary function test, performed ventilation measure, and traced the Pressure-Volume Loop under anesthesia. Then, rats were sacrificed for hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry staining of TGF-β1 and α-SMA, and observation through transmission electron microscope. BHTF reduced infiltration of inflammation cells, collagen deposition, and fibrosis proliferation in pulmonary mesenchyme, inhibited the expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA, and avoided the abnormality of ultrastructure and quantities of lamellar bodies. It also ameliorated the parameters of FVC, MVV, PEF, FEF25, and Cdyn, maintained the shape of the Pressure-Volume Loop, and improved hysteresis. BHFT relieved the histopathologic changes, improved ventilation function, compliance, and work of breathing, meliorated the capacity and elasticity of the lungs, and stabilized the alveolar surface tension. Further speaking, it had a potential impact on the secretion of pulmonary surfactant.

Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…In recent years, the position of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of IPF is becoming more and more important, and the clinical research and meta-analyses have shown that the herbal medicine treating IPF could improve the clinical symptoms, delay the reduction of the lung function, and improve the quality of life of the patients (Yu et al, 2016;Chen et al, 2019;Wu et al, 2019). Many experiments have shown that the herbal medicine has the effects of improving the pathological and pulmonary function of bleomycin-induced IPF rats (Chen et al, 2016;Yu et al, 2018).…”

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with pulmonary drug delivery system and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Rationale and therapeutic potential

“…Clinically, many TCMs have been identified to be efficient as anti-fibrosis compounds and also seems to improve lung function along with reduction of dyspnea. Routine clinical treatment of IPF using TCM mainly include decoctions [ 15 ], pills, granules [ 16 ] and injections [ 17 ]. But all of these have limitations, such as poor drug tolerance, inefficient targeted therapy effect, low bioavailability in lungs and hepatoenteric first-pass effect [ 18 ].…”

Mechanism of Yifei Decoction Combined with MitoQ on Inhibition of TGFβ1/NOX4 and PDGF/ROCK Signal Pathway in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…In recent years, with the understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis by traditional Chinese medicine, some progress has been made in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine [6][7][8]. Yifei decoction is a Chinese herbal medicine composed of Cortex Mori, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, peach kernel, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Platycodon grandiflorus, and licorice [9].…”