Abstract
Backgroung
Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease that causes shortness of breath, cough, fever, and blue skin and causes a heavy burden to patients both physically and mentally. Silicosis at the moment has no effective treatment, and patients depend on bronchodilators, antitussives, and mucolytic medicines for survival. After all other treatment alternatives have been exhausted, lung transplantation may be the sole choice. Betulin (BET) isolated from Crinum asiaticum bulbs (CAE) has exhibited a multitude of powerful pharmacological properties ranging from antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, and anti-viral activities. This work sought to investigate the anti-silicosis and pulmonoprotective effects of betulin and CAE as well as elucidating the possible mechanism in mitigating pulmonary silicosis in crystalline silica induced silicosis in rat model.
Method
In this study, anti-silicosis and pulmonoprotective effects of BET and CAE were investigated after rat models were subjected to lung injury through an intratracheal administration of crystalline silica. Rats were critically observed for morphological changes and were sacrificed. Lungs were harvested for biochemical and histological analysis.
Results
The results showed that CAE and BET reduced significantly (****p < 0.0001) the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, hydroxyproline, collagen types I and III when compared with the negative control group. On broncho alveoli lavage fluid (BALF) biomarkers such as macrophages, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, CAE and BET were able to reduce their levels significantly (****p < 0.0001). The CAE and BET were investigated for their anti-oxidant activity and were shown to increase the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while lowering the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). There was also an improvement in lung function when lung tissues were examined histologically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CAE and BET possessed anti-silicosis effect and occurred through the down regulation of NF-κB and some pro-inflammatory cytokines and also acted as protective mechanisms, facilitating the preservation of the lung’s physiological integrity. The outcome of this study could for serve as leads in drug discovery in the production of anti-silicosis agents