Therapeutic properties of Punica granatum L (pomegranate) and its applications in lung-based diseases: A detailed review

Respiratory diseases are the prime cause of death and disability worldwide. The majority of lung-based diseases are resistant to treatment. Hence, research on unique drugs/compounds with a more efficient and minimum side effect for treating lung diseases is urgent. Punica granatum L (pomegranate) fruit has been used in the prevention and treatment of various respiratory disorders in recent times. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that pomegranate fruit, as well as its juice, extract, peel powder, and oil, exert anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumorigenic properties by attenuating various respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung fibrosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and alveolar inflammation via modulating various signaling pathways. The current review summarizes the potential properties and medical benefits of pomegranate against different lung-based diseases, also highlighting its possible role in the lung fibrinolytic system. The available data suggest that pomegranate is effective in controlling the disease progressions and could be a potential therapeutic target benefiting human health status. Furthermore, this review also outlines the preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the role of pomegranate in lung diseases further evoking future studies to investigate the effect of intake of this anti-oxidant fruit in larger and well-defined human clinical trials. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This review outlines the putative pharmacologic benefits of P. granatum L (pomegranate) in treating various chronic lung-based diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, ARDS, asthma, lung fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis. This review also highlights the possible inhibitory role of P. granatum L (pomegranate) in the lung fibrinolytic system triggering the fibrinolytic markers. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical studies using in vitro, in vivo, and human models highlighting the potential role of P. granatum L (pomegranate) in lung diseases. This review evokes future research to investigate the effect of intake of pomegranate fruit in well-defined human clinical trials.

Targeting anti-aging protein sirtuin (Sirt) in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe, incurable, age-associated respiratory disorder that has gained significance because of its unknown etiology and lack of therapeutic approaches. IPF causes maximum damage to the alveolar epithelial cells, thereby leading to lung remodeling and initiating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The actual molecular mechanisms underlying IPF still remain unclear, and knowledge about these mechanisms would be helpful in its diagnosis. Sirtuins (Sirt) are class of NAD+-dependent proteins, widely known to exert positive and protective effects on age-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and so on, and are also involved in regulating IPF. The sirtuin family comprises of seven members (Sirt1 to Sirt7), out of which Sirt1, Sirt3, Sirt6, and Sirt7 exert positive effects on IPF. Sirt1 is associated with aging and inhibits cellular senescence and fibrosis. Sirt1 is well recognized in controlling pulmonary fibrosis and is also considered as a prime positive mediator of EMT. The expressions of Sirt3 protein tend to decline in IPF patients; hence it is known as an anti-fibrotic protein. Sirt6 indeed has been proven to reduce EMT during IPF. Decreased levels of Sirt7 during IPF regulate lung fibroblasts. Hence, active levels of Sirt1, Sirt3, Sirt6, and Sirt7 can be attractive target models to elucidate a novel potential therapeutic approach for IPF. In this prospect, we have discussed the role of Sirtuins in pulmonary fibrosis by exploring the recent research evidence that highlight the role of sirtuins and also describes their protective effects.