Immunomodulatory effect of turmeric, amla, and pepper mixture against sepsis-induced acute lung injury in rats

Abstract Acute lung injury (ALI), is a severe inflammatory lung disease. We tested the prophylactic effect of a functional food comprising three different anti-inflammatory plant products: turmeric, amla, and black pepper (TAB) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in rats. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C), LPS (5mg/kg), and LPS with TAB (TAB). After 6 hours of LPS injection, the rats were sacrificed by cervical decapitation to collect the lung tissue. Results showed that TAB partially ameliorated LPS-induced circulating inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL6) and significantly prevented lung histopathological changes. TAB also suppressed LPS-activated ER stress markers (GRP78, pIRE1, and CHOP) and apoptotic proteins (caspase-3 and -12) in the lung. The anti-inflammatory effects of the TAB support its potential use at least as an adjuvant to mitigate ALI. Importantly, the ingredients of TAB are in use for centuries as part of their diet with limited or no toxic effects identified.