Liuweidihuang Pill ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis through anti-inflammation and modulating gut microbiome in mice

However, the efficacy and mechanism of LD in PF therapy is unclear. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of LD on bleomycin-induced PF in mice, and elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Mice were intratracheally administered bleomycin and simultaneously treated with LD. Pathological changes in lung tissue were evaluated with HE and Masson staining. Levels of pro-inflammatory factors and hydroxyproline content were assessed in lung tissue and serum using ELISA.

The chemical components of LD were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Gut microbiome in mice was examined using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. To investigate the contributions of gut microbiota and LD's absorbed components, we employed fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotic VSL#3 treatment, and in vitro assays with drug-containing serum.

Results: Our findings demonstrated that LD treatment reduced the lung index, alleviated inflammation and decreased interstitial fibrosis in PF mice. The expression of inflammatory cytokines, α-smooth muscle actin protein expression and hydroxyproline content were reduced in LD-treated mice compared to PF group. The study also revealed alterations in gut microbiota following LD treatment.

Meanwhile, VSL#3 partially improved lung pathology, while FMT and drug-containing serum showed limited efficacy in both in vivo and in vitro tests. Conclusion: Taken together, LD shows promise in delaying bleomycin-induced PF progression by modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting inflammatory factors. This study highlights LD's potential as a therapeutic agent for PF.