Abstract

Transmission of COVID-19 is facilitated by uptake of droplets containing coronavirus from the breath, sneeze or cough of infected persons. This represents the commonest mode of coronavirus infection and spread to mucous membranes of the respiratory system. The virus rapidly replicates in alveolar cells, triggering a strong immune response, resulting in cytokine storm syndromes and pulmonary tissue damage. These pathologic processes contribute to a compromised pulmonary function. Thus, evaluation of pulmonary function would give insights into modulatory effect of agents that may be beneficial in ameliorating this pathology. The study evaluated effects of Cov-Pla1 and Cov-Pla3 (polyherbal products of the research team, positioned for treatment of Covid-19) on pulmonary function in bleomycin-induced lung injury in rabbits. Rabbits of both sexes were divided into six groups and treated with the extracts alone or the extract following pre-treatment with bleomycin. Targeted respiratory function parameters were monitored at baseline and on day three. Vital capacity, tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and inspiratory capacity in the groups treated with Cov-Pla1 and Cov-Pla3 at 125 and 500 mg/kg respectively were compared with the bleomycin only group. In bleomycin pre-treated groups, the two preparations at 125 mg/kg showed increased vital capacity compared to the bleomyicn only group. This pattern was repeated with the other parameters that were evaluated. These results imply that Cov-Pla1 and Cov-Pla3 at the 125 mg/kg dose have ameliorative effects on bleomycin induced lung injury and could be beneficial in situations such as COVID-19 where there are active insults to the respiratory system.

Keywords:  COVID-19, Cov-Pla, Herbal Preparation, Respiratory function