Biosurfactant-Based Interventions for Improving Lung Function and Controlling Inflammation

Biosurfactants are promising biotechnological compounds for respiratory diseases due to their ability to act as antimicrobials, antivirals, and anti-inflammatories, as well as their capacity to reduce pulmonary surface tension. In vitro evidence shows that molecules such as surfactin, rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, and MELs can partially mimic natural pulmonary surfactant, promote alveolar stabilization, and improve respiratory mechanics. Furthermore, these compounds modulate essential inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, and inflammasomes (NLRP3 and AIM2), leading to decreased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respiratory fungi, and enveloped viruses support their use as therapeutic agents in infectious or inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract. Despite their potential, several challenges persist, particularly the high production costs, difficulties in structural standardization, the limited stability of inhalable forms, and the lack of clinical trials evaluating safety and efficacy in humans. The development of more advanced disease prediction models, such as pulmonary organoids and "lung-on-a-chip" systems, emerges as an essential path for translational evaluation. Thus, although many obstacles remain, this body of evidence demonstrates that biosurfactants represent an innovative and promising platform for improving lung function or modulating inflammatory processes in various respiratory diseases.