abstract
The effects of four medicinal herbs (Arctium lappa, Plantago major, Mikania glomerata Spreng and Equisetum arvense) with anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model. Wistar rats were exposed to cigarette smoke during 8 weeks and one of the groups was orally given a solution containing 4% of each alcoholic herbal extracts during the exposure period. Control group was not exposed to smoke or treated. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyzes were performed. Normal blood plasma levels of gamma glutamyl transferase indicated no toxicity of the administered herbal extracts. The treatment reduced leukocytes influx in bronchoalveolar lavage, mast cell and macrophages numbers in lungs, as well as prevented pulmonary congestion and tracheal metaplasia. Herbal mixture also decreased plasma inflammatory mediator levels and pulmonary expression of annexin A1 and nuclear factor-k beta. Our data indicate synergistic and protective effects of the used herbal medicines in animals exposed to cigarette smoke as a potential therapeutic strategy.
keywords
HYDRO-ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT; MIKANIA-GLOMERATA; ANIMAL-MODELS; RAT MODEL; COPD; LUNG; INFLAMMATION; RESOLUTION; RESPONSES; CELLS
subject category
Research & Experimental Medicine; Pharmacology & Pharmacy
authors
Possebon, L; Lebron, IDL; da Silva, LF; Paletta, JT; Glad, BG; Sant'Ana, M; Iyomasa-Pilon, MM; Souza, HR; Costa, SD; Rodriguesa, GPD; Pereira, MD; Moreno, AD; Girol, AP
our authors
Maria de Lourdes Gomes Pereira
Associate Professor with Aggregationacknowledgements
This work was supported by Faculdades Integradas Padre Albino (FIPA), Catanduva, SP, Brazil and Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), SP, SP, Brazil (Process no 2015/033595).