Abhrak Bhasma alleviates the cyclophosphamide-induced lung damage via the NF-κB signalling pathway

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used alkylating chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent that exerts its therapeutic effects through DNA crosslinking but is also associated with dose-limiting toxicities, including pulmonary toxicity mediated by oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic remodelling. Abhrak Bhasma (AB), a classical Ayurvedic formulation, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of AB against CP-induced lung injury in male BALB/c mice. CP administration resulted in significant decreases in body weight and lung weight increased lung weight and lung index, elevated oxidative stress, and marked histopathological alterations in lung tissue. Treatment with AB ameliorated these changes, as evidenced by improved body weight and normalization of lung parameters. AB reduced lipid peroxidation and restored endogenous antioxidant defences, including glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that AB attenuated alveolar wall thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and elastin fibre accumulation, indicating reduced pulmonary inflammation and fibrotic remodelling. At the molecular level, AB suppressed the expression of phosphorylated IκB-α, phosphorylated NF-κB, and α-smooth muscle actin, suggesting inhibition of key inflammatory and profibrotic signalling pathways. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that AB protects against CP-induced pulmonary toxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic mechanisms, highlighting its therapeutic potential.