Effects of aqueous extracts from Ficus pumila on pulmonary dysfunction and inflammation in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective: The preventive and therapeutic effects of the aqueous extract of Ficus pumila on COPD model rats were observed and its mechanism was also discussed. Methods: COPD model was established by intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide and smoking. Using the pulmonary function test, the level of related inflammatory factors detection in the BALF by ELISA, the blood gas analysis and HE staining for lung pathological observation. Results: The results showed that the indexes of the model rats were consistent with the pathological characteristic of COPD. The model group animals had obvious airflow obstruction, while the high dose of F. pumila aqueous extract group could significantly increase the levels of FVC, Fev0.3, PEF, Fev0.3/FVC （P2 and CO2 in the lungs of the model rats; At the same time, the high dosage of Ficus pumila aqueous extract can significantly improve the pulmonary ventilation function of COPD, and the effect was better than positive drug. Medium dose-, high dose aqueous extract group and positive drug group could significantly reduce the number of leukocytes （P<0.05）. High dosage aqueous extract could significantly improve TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1, elastase, platelet activating factor and other inflammatory factors （P<0.05）, while positive drug only had a significant effect on platelet activating factor （P<0.01）. High dosage aqueous extract could reduce the pathological conditions of lung inflammation cell infiltration, goblet cell and gland hyperplasia, alveolar dilatation and smooth muscle thickening caused by COPD. Conclusion: High dosage aqueous extract of F. pumila could improve the pulmonary dysfunction and inflammation level of COPD in rats.

Keywords

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• ficus pumila l.
• aqueous extract
• rats
• lung dysfunction
• inflammation