Phytochemical investigation, antibacterial, and ameliorative potential effects of Tamarix nilotica on LPS-induced acute lung injury model in mice

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious illness with a high mortality rate of 40-60%. It is characterised by systemic inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Gram-negative bacterial infections are the major cause of ALI, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major stimulus for the release of inflammatory mediators. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies which ameliorate ALI and prevent its serious consequences. The Middle Eastern native plant Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb) Bunge belongs to the family Tamaricaceae, which exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, the current work aimed to ensure the plausible beneficial effects of T. nilotica different fractions on LPS-induced acute lung injury after elucidating their phytochemical constit-uents using LC/MS analysis. Mice were randomly allocated into six groups: Control saline, LPS group, and four groups treated with total extract, DCM, EtOAc and n-butanol fractions, respectively, intraperitoneal at 100 mg/ kg doses 30 min before LPS injection. The lung expression of iNOS, TGF-beta 1, NOX-1, NOX-4 and GPX-1 levels were evaluated. Also, oxidative stress was assessed via measurements of MDA, SOD and Catalase activity, and his-topathological and immunohistochemical investigation of TNF-alpha in lung tissues were performed. T. nilotica n -butanol fraction caused a significant downregulation in iNOS, TGF-beta 1, TNF-alpha, NOX-1, NOX-4, and MDA levels (p < 0.05), and significantly elevated GPX-1 expression levels, SOD, and catalase activity (p < 0.05), and alleviated all histopathological abnormalities confirming its advantageous role in ALI. The antibacterial activities of T. nilotica and its different fractions were investigated by agar well diffusion method and broth microdilution method. Interestingly, the n-butanol fraction exhibited the best antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumo-niae clinical isolates. It also significantly reduced exopolysaccharide quantity, cell surface hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation.

Automated summary

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious and often fatal condition characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. This study investigates the potential beneficial effects of Tamarix nilotica, a Middle Eastern plant, on ALI induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results show that certain fractions of T. nilotica exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, reducing the levels of inflammatory mediators and improving lung function in mice with ALI. Additionally, the study found that T. nilotica has antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and can inhibit biofilm formation.