Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Unilateral Lung Volume Analysis Using Micro-CT for Enhanced Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Preclinical Models
Published on: June 20, 2025
Potential saviour of pulmonary fibrosis: multi-pathway treatment of natural products
Yujia Weng1, Baoli He1, Jialin Zhou2
1Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Background:
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a terminal manifestation of diverse interstitial lung diseases, remains incompletely understood in its pathogenesis. Natural products possess multifaceted biological activities and relatively favorable safety profiles, showing great advantage in treating complex disease including PF, though bioavailability limitations require formulation optimization.
Purpose:
This review systematically consolidates insights into the underlying mechanisms of natural products and prospects several promising targets for the treatment of PF.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and specialized pharmacology texts using key terms related to pulmonary fibrosis, natural products (e.g., alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins), inflammation, and oxidative stress. The information was reviewed to emphasize the potential mechanisms of natural products in the treatment of PF.
Results:
Natural products ameliorate PF through multi-pathway interventions, including suppression of inflammation, antagonism of oxidative stress, inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, targeting of fibroblast activation, modulation of metabolic homeostasis, promotion of autophagy and repression of senescence and apoptosis. These effects are mediated by modulating intricate pathways such as the TGF-β1/SMAD, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NOX4-Nrf2, AMPK, NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, the toxicology and side effects of natural products for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and various clinical questions and limitations are discussed.
Conclusion:
These unveiling mechanisms provide robust support for the exploration of novel applications of existing medications. This review aims to contribute novel insights towards the further studies of natural products for the prevention and treatment of PF.
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