In the present study, the protective effect of Bresol(®) - a polyherbal formulation - was evaluated in an experimental model of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced COPD in rats. Ten minutes daily exposure to CS for 7 weeks caused significant elevation of TNF-α (p<0.01) and total protein (p<0.01) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of positive untreated control animals, indicating ongoing inflammatory process in the lungs. Further, histopathological findings have confirmed the presence of pathological lesions in the trachea and lungs. Five weeks of post-treatment with Bresol(®) (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects against CS-induced lung abnormalities by maintaining the TNF-α and total protein levels within the normal range. Additionally, Bresol(®)-treated animals showed normal cyto-architecture of the trachea and lungs. In conclusion, Bresol(®) showed dose-dependent protection against CS-induced lung and tracheal injury in rats, which further indicates, Bresol(®) is a useful healing agent, may help to decelerate the progression of COPD, and reduce the exacerbations in patients.
Keywords: Bresol®; Broncheoalveolar lavage fluid; Bronchitis; Cigarette smoke-induced lung injury; TNF-α.