Active Components from Traditional Herbal Medicine for the Potential Therapeutics of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systemic Review

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a tumor-like disease, is a serious and fatal pulmonary inflammatory condition usually characterized by irreversible destruction of the lung parenchyma, excessive matrix accumulation, and decline in lung function. IPF still remains a great burden to the universe. At the moment, the available therapeutic regimens utilized for IPF such as non-pharmacological therapies (lung transplantation) and pharmacological therapies (drugs, nintedanib, pirfenidone, etc.) are normally accompanied by significant limitations, such as adverse reactions, low bioavailability, poor selectivity, low-tissue distribution, in vivo instability, systemic toxicity, inconveniency and unsafe usage. There is a need for the exploration and discovery of new novel remedies by researchers and scientists globally. Recent numerous preliminary studies have laid significant emphasis and demonstrated the antifibrotic importance, good curative actions (little or no adverse reactions), and multiple target sites of the active components from traditional herbal medicine (THM) against IPF, which could serve as a modern, alternative and potential therapeutics or drug candidates in treating IPF. This paper extensively summarizes the pharmacological actions and signaling pathways or mechanisms of active components obtained from THM for treating IPF. Moreover, the sources and modernization, markets, relevant FDA and CFDA studies (the USA and China), preclinical analysis, and various compositions of THM currently under clinical trials are also highlighted. Additionally, this present analytical data would be instrumental towards further drug progression or advancement of active components from THM for the potential therapeutics of IPF in the future.

6-Gingerol, a functional polyphenol of ginger, reduces pulmonary fibrosis by activating Sirtuin1

“…33,34 However, the application of these methods is limited due to a list of disadvantages including high cost, low curative effect, insufficient transplantation donors, immune rejection, or poor patient compliance. 8 Therefore, it is necessary to actively explore the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and develop novel intervention drugs. The 6-gingerol used in this study is a natural medicinal component that exists in ginger.…”

“…6,7 Delaying the progress of pulmonary fibrosis and reducing its incidence are major needs for disease prevention and treatment due to the lack of effective radical treatment. 8 It is well documented that the accumulation of inflammatory factors, the collapse of blood vessels, the increase of myofibroblasts, the deposition of extracellular matrix, and the final fibrosis are pivotal factors contributing to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. 9,10 Therefore, seeking effective treatment targets and lead compounds have great clinical significance for reducing the incidence of pulmonary fibrosis.…”

Natural and Semi-Synthetic Flavonoid Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents for the Treatment of Long COVID-19 Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders of Cognitive Decline

“…Promotion of tissue fibrosis in COVID-19 infections results in fibrotic changes in liver and lung tissues [356] and leads to longterm pulmonary fibrosis and associated breathing difficulties. A number of chalcones (Panduratin A) present in Thai and Chinese herbal medicines [6,357] and identified in pomegranate [358] display beneficial anti-inflammatory properties and reduce tissue fibrosis in a similar manner to Pirfenidone [359,360], a long-standing anti-fibrosis medication. These are worthy of further investigation in the management of long COVID-19 disease.…”

Traditional Herbal Medicine and Its Clinical Relevance: A Need to Preserve the Past for the Future

“…There are 56 ethnic groups in China, with 56 different languages, cultures, and herbal medicines [28]. Each year, China exports more than 7000 types of medicinal and related herbal products to more than 130 countries worldwide, including cloves, pinellia, angelica, tianma, fritillaria, eucommia, licorice, turmeric, frankincense, rhubarb, wolfberry, berberine and panax [29] [30]. The export value of China's herbal medicines is USD 1.567 billion [31].…”