Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of Chyawanprash on particulate matter-induced pulmonary disease in mice

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is the major component of air pollution, which includes emissions from both anthropogenic and natural sources. PM, with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 ± 10 μm can remain in the air for a long time and be deposited in the lungs through inhalation and hence, is a major threat to human health. Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the protective effect of Chyawanprash (CP) on PM-induced pulmonary disease through estimation of cytokines and immunoglobulins. Materials and methods: CP, standard drug, and vehicle (Group G1 to Group G7) were administered orally at the dose volume of 10 ml/kg, for 28 consecutive days (Prophylactic treatment; i.e., Day 1 to Day 28) and next 10 days (i.e., Day 29 to Day 38) of co-treatment with inducing agent PM2.5 intratracheally. Animals of group G6 (Inhalation + control) and G7 (Inhalation + CP) were exposed group-wise to PM2.5 aerosol (2 mg/5 ml, 15 min) via inhalation in histamine chamber on Days 29, 31, 33, 35, and 37. On Day 38, animals were anesthetised and blood and broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Animals were sacrificed and lungs were collected for histology. Results: Prophylactic benefit of CP against pulmonary pathology was evidenced by the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (BALF: TNF a, IFN-g, IL-7, IL-6 and lung: TNFa, Histamine and IL-6), chemokines (Lung: MMP-9), inflammatory cell infiltration (cell counts in BALF), and histopatholoy in experimental mice model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CP has potential benefit in protecting from harmful effects caused by air pollutants such as PM2.5.