Evaluation of pulmonary effects of Lippia Grata extract complexed with beta-cyclodextrin in an animal model of pulmonary emphysema.

• Grant number: 24/05778-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Carla Máximo Prado
• Grantee: Pablo Galasso Mendonça
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a serious challenge to global health, causing high mortality rates and imposing significant costs on the healthcare system. Unfortunately, the therapeutic options currently available are only palliative, focused on relieving symptoms. In this context, a promising study seeks to explore the benefits of treatment with the complexed extract of the Brazilian plant Lippia grata, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of the treatment with Lippia grata complexed with ²-cyclodextrin in a model of pulmonary emphysema induced by porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). To this end, animals will receive PPE on day zero and from day 21 onwards they will be treated with daily administration of L. grata extract, at a dose of 5 mg/kg. On day 30, the animals will be anesthetized, euthanized, and the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage will be collected. Then, inflammatory cells will be evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage. The lung will later be embedded in paraffin and after routine histological sections will be performed to analyze the average alveolar diameter, which infers tissue destruction, and inflammation. The statistical tool used to analyze the results will be the GraphPrism software, which will allow an adequate assessment of the differences observed. It is expected that the results of this study can provide a solid basis for future therapeutic advances in the treatment of COPD with therapeutic alternatives beyond those already commercially available.