Herbal Remedies for Acute Lung Injury Hold Promise for Safer, Effective Treatment Options

Herbs And Phytochemicals: The Rise of Acute Lung Injury and the Quest for Natural Treatments
Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and its severe manifestation, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), are life-threatening conditions triggered by infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and systemic inflammation. Characterized by intense lung inflammation, Acute Lung Injury or ALI leads to complications such as fluid buildup in the lungs, breathing difficulties, and in advanced cases, multi-organ failure. With conventional treatments often proving insufficient or carrying risks of side effects, researchers are now exploring the use of traditional herbal medicines to manage ALI symptoms safely and effectively. This Herbs And Phytochemicals news report reviews an exciting study led by Jae-Won Lee and his team at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), who examined the potential of medicinal herbal extracts (MHEs) to treat ALI. Their findings provide promising insights into how these natural remedies could offer new hope for patients struggling with Acute Lung Injury (ALI).

TLR4/NF-κB activation and formation of inflammatory molecules in ALI. LPS binding to TLR4 in various cells, such as epithelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, induces the activation of NF-κB and the generation of inflammatory molecules, thereby promoting lung inflammation and damage. Thus, the NF-κB signaling pathways are considered an important therapeutic target in ALI therapy. TLR4, Toll-like receptor 4; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B; ALI, acute lung injury; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MyD88, myeloid differentiation primary response 88; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α; IL, interleukin; IκBα, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; COX-2, cyclooxygenase 2.

Why Acute Lung Injury (ALI) Needs New Treatment Approaches
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for effective treatments against lung injury and inflammation, especially given the virus’s severe impact on respiratory health. Current treatments for ALI, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics, are widely used but have limitations. For example, corticosteroids reduce inflammation but can suppress the immune system and lead to unwanted side effects. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but are powerless against viral causes of lung injury and can disrupt the body’s natural microbiome. Herbal remedies, used traditionally for centuries in many cultures, might offer a safer, multifaceted approach. This article delves into how medicinal herbs could revolutionize Acute Lung Injury (ALI) treatment by targeting the root causes of inflammation without the negative side effects.
 
The Role of Herbal Extracts in Reducing Lung Inflammation
Medicinal herbs like Ginkgo Biloba, Lysimachia clethroides, and Forsythia suspensa have shown significant promise in reducing the severity of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) by modulating the immune response and reducing inflammatory markers. These herbs are particularly effective because they c ontain natural compounds that inhibit key inflammatory pathways involved in ALI. At the core of ALI’s inflammatory response is the activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, which triggers the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory molecules like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. By influencing these pathways, MHEs reduce the intensity of inflammation, which may alleviate symptoms and protect lung tissues from further damage.
 
Key Findings: Herbs with Potential for Treating ALI
Lee and his team’s research provided a detailed analysis of several herbs and their specific effects on lung inflammation, particularly focusing on their ability to modulate the immune response and reduce cytokine production. Below are some of the key herbs reviewed in their study:
 
-Cryptotaenia Japonica - Widely used in East Asia, this herb showed powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the ALI mouse models. Researchers found that Cryptotaenia Japonica methanol aerial extract (MAE) inhibited IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α, which are major inflammatory markers in Acute Lung Injury (ALI). Administering this herb before the onset of lung injury reduced these markers in mice, suggesting that it may help prevent lung injury if used early.
 
-Ginkgo Biloba - Known for its potent antioxidant properties, Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract effectively reduced cytokine levels and inflammation in ALI models, demonstrating results similar to those of dexamethasone, a commonly used corticosteroid. Ginkgo’s unique compounds like quercetin and kaempferol make it effective in reducing NF-κB activation, which is crucial in controlling inflammation in Acute Lung Injury (ALI).
 
-Lysimachia Clethroides - Often referred to as “Gooseneck Loosestrife,” this herb’s whole-plant extract reduced cytokine production and neutrophil infiltration in lung tissues, two major factors in the progression of Acute Lung Injury (ALI). Its anti-inflammatory effects were attributed to its ability to inhibit both TLR4 and NF-κB pathways, blocking the release of molecules that promote inflammation.
 
-Forsythia Suspensa - Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat respiratory ailments, Forsythia suspensa fruit extract reduced inflammatory markers and neutrophil influx into lung tissue in animal models. It also inhibited the TLR4 signaling pathway, effectively blocking the inflammatory cascade associated with Acute Lung Injury (ALI).
 
-Mahonia Bealei - Another popular herb in traditional medicine, Mahonia bealei suppresses pro-inflammatory molecules, including TNF-α and COX-2, and blocks the NF-κB pathway. This dual action makes it particularly effective in reducing lung inflammation and protecting lung cells from injury.
 
-Angelica Decursiva: This herb’s root extract has anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit the production of cytokines in immune cells such as macrophages and epithelial cells. Animal studies show that Angelica decursiva reduces the number of immune cells that migrate to the lungs during Acute Lung Injury (ALI), highlighting its potential to reduce lung inflammation effectively.
 
-Taraxacum Mongolicum (Dandelion): Known for its use in traditional East Asian medicine, Taraxacum Mongolicum reduces oxidative stress by boosting superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, an enzyme that helps neutralize free radicals in lung tissue. This antioxidant effect helps restore lung function by reducing inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs.
 
-Helminthostachys Zeylanica: Extracts from this herb have shown significant efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In cell models, it reduces the production of inflammatory molecules, while animal studies reveal its ability to activate antioxidant pathways and reduce neutrophil numbers in lung tissues.
 
Detailed Mechanisms of Action of Herbal Extracts
Medicinal herbs achieve their therapeutic effects in Acute Lung Injury (ALI) through a few well-studied pathways, primarily focusing on reducing cytokine production and modulating immune cell activity. Here are some specific ways in which these herbs work:
 
-Blocking NF-κB Activation: NF-κB is a protein complex that plays a central role in regulating the immune response. Many herbs, such as Ginkgo Biloba and Mahonia Bealei, inhibit the activation of NF-κB, preventing it from entering the cell nucleus and initiating the production of inflammatory cytokines.
 
-Antioxidant Activity: Many herbs contain antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids, which reduce oxidative stress in lung tissue. By scavenging free radicals, these antioxidants prevent further damage to lung cells, which is essential for patients with ALI who experience high levels of oxidative stress.
 
-Downregulation of TLR4/MyD88 Pathway: TLR4 is a receptor that triggers the release of inflammatory molecules when it detects pathogens. MyD88 is a key adaptor protein in the TLR4 pathway. Herbs like Lysimachia clethroides effectively block TLR4 and MyD88, dampening the immune response that leads to excessive lung inflammation.
 
Conclusion: Herbal Remedies as a Viable Option for Acute Lung Injury Treatment
In conclusion, the reviewed findings indicate that medicinal herbal extracts could serve as powerful tools in treating ALI. These extracts work by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathways, reducing cytokine levels, and offering antioxidant protection. By targeting these pathways, herbs such as Ginkgo Biloba, Mahonia Bealei, and Lysimachia clethroides demonstrate impressive potential to alleviate lung inflammation and reduce the harmful effects of Acute Lung Injury. Importantly, many of these herbs have shown therapeutic effects similar to dexamethasone, a common steroid used in inflammation treatment, but without the same level of side effects. With further research and clinical trials, medicinal herbs could provide a safe, effective, and natural alternative for managing lung injury.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Future Pharmacology.
 
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https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9879/4/4/37
 
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