Pomegranate juice ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by regulating inflammatory response and epithelial mesenchymal transformation

Abstract

POMJ could ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro . Based on the analysis of the bioactive ingredients and the anti-oxidation ability of POMJ, we explored the potential role and underlying mechanisms of POMJ against PF both in in vivo and in vitro experimental model. POMJ could improve BLM-induced PF by alleviating the inflammatory response and the progression of EMT, and also could ameliorate EMT process in TGF-β1 stimulated cell model by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway. • The potential bioactive ingredients in POMJ were analyzed using LC-HR/MS. • POMJ prevents bleomycin-induced lung injury by reducing inflammation response. • POMJ alleviated EMT in vivo and in vitro . • POMJ suppressed TGF‐β1‐induced NF‐κB pathway activation in EMT. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial pneumonia characterized by abnormal epithelial -mesenchymal transition (EMT) and persistent inflammatory injury. Pomegranate has multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pomegranate juice (POMJ) in ameliorating PF and explored the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro . Compared to the Vehicle group, POMJ attenuated bleomycin (BLM)-induced histopathological changes and collagen deposition in the lungs and alleviated the inflammatory response. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results revealed that POMJ treatment reduced the expression of Collagen I and Vimentin and increased the expression of E-cadherin. In addition, in TGF-β1-treated A549 cells, it was further confirmed, which may be associated with inhibition of NF-κB pathway activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that POMJ ameliorates lung injury by regulating the inflammatory response and the process of EMT, exhibiting great potential to ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis.