Study on Lung Injury Caused by Fine Particulate Matter and Intervention Effect of Rhodiola wallichiana

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this study was to observe the protective effect of Rhodiola wallichiana drops in a rat model of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) lung injury. Methods. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control (NC), normal saline (NS), PM2.5-infected (PM), and Rhodiola wallichiana (RW) groups. Rats in the NC group were not provided any interventions, whereas those in the NS and PM groups were administered normal saline and PM2.5 suspension by trachea drip once a week for four weeks. Rats in the RW group were intraperitoneally administered Rhodiola wallichiana for 14 days and then administered PM2.5 suspension by trachea drip 7 days after drug delivery. The levels of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and oxidative stress biomarkers such as 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 4-hydroxynonenal, and protein carbonyl content were determined in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by ELISA. The level of 4-hydroxynonenal in the lung was also determined using Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Results. Levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress biomarkers were all increased in the PM group but decreased in the RW group. Western blotting revealed increased 4-hydroxynonenal levels in the PM group but decreased levels in the RW group. Immunohistochemical staining also provided similar results. Conclusion. Rhodiola wallichiana could protect rats from inflammation and oxidative stress injury caused by PM2.5.

Elucidating the mechanism of Hongjinshen decoction in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

“…[ 8 ] In another study, Rhodiola significantly reduced the expression of α-SMA, a specific marker of fibroblasts, in lung tissues of rats with a pulmonary fibrosis, indicating that Rhodiola significantly inhibited the formation of fibroblasts. [ 9 ] A study on idiopathic interstitial lung fibrosis found that ginsenoside Rg1 gavage reduced lung coefficients and α-SMA (α-actinin) levels in IPF (idiopathic interstitial lung fibrosis) rats; ginsenoside Rg1 has some anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of PDGF-A (platelet-derived growth factor-A) expression. [ 10 ] Total ginseng stem saponins may ameliorate BLM (bleomycin) induced experimental pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases).…”

Therapeutic Effects of (+)-Afzelechin on Particulate Matter-Induced Pulmonary Injury

“…Conditions such as asthma, acute lung injury, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been linked to inflammation triggered by PM 2.5 exposure. Furthermore, the inflammation caused by PM 2.5 contributes to the release of various cytokines and chemokines, including interleukins (ILs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α ( Cho et al ., 2018 ; Cao et al ., 2022 ; Teng et al ., 2022 ). Consequently, the need for innovative strategies for preventing and treating respiratory diseases, particularly given the strong link between PM 2.5 exposure and the increased risk of asthma, as well as the incidence and mortality of lung cancer, is pressing ( Wang et al ., 2018 ).…”