Observation of the effect of tetrandrine on experimental silicosis of rats

It was proved in this experiment that tetrandrine, one of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, may inhibit the development of experimental silicosis on rats whether the drug was given to the animal right after dusting or after the formation of silicotic nodules. As compared to the silicotic control rats, lowering of total weight and collagen content of the lungs were shown and some degradation of collagen fibers was also indicated from the histopathological examination.