NRICM102, a TCM Formula, Attenuates COPD-Relevant Inflammatory Lung Injury in Mice by Improving Pulmonary Function and Reversing Immune Dysregulation

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disorder with limited effective therapies. NRICM102, a traditional multi-herbal formulation originally developed for COVID-19, exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of NRICM102 in a COPD-relevant inflammatory lung injury mice model. Methods: Mice were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to induce chronic airway inflammation and structural lung damage and treated with NRICM102 (1.5–3.0 g/kg) or dexamethasone. Lung function, histopathology, transcriptomic profiling, and protein expression of key inflammatory markers were assessed. Results: NRICM102 significantly restored LPS+B[a]P-induced enhanced pause (Penh) and arterial oxygen saturation (aO₂%), similar to the effect of dexamethasone. Histological analysis revealed marked alveolar damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis in the model group, all of which were significantly attenuated by NRICM102 in a dose-dependent manner, with high-dose (3.0 g/kg) treatment showing pronounced structural preservation. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that NRICM102, particularly at 3.0 g/kg, partially reversed COPD-associated gene expression patterns, characterized by reduced activation of cytokine signaling, chemokine activity, and antigen presentation pathways. GO, DO, and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated selective modulation of immune-related pathways, with high-dose NRICM102 affecting genes involved in adaptive immunity and cytokine receptor interactions, including a subset of 150 reverted genes. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed dose-dependent reductions in key inflammatory, immune, and mucus-related markers, including IL-1β, NLRP3, Muc5ac, and MMP12 expression. Conclusions: NRICM102 confers significant protective effects against COPD-relevant inflammatory lung injury by improving pulmonary function, preserving lung architecture, and selectively modulating immune and inflammatory pathways. These results provide preclinical evidence supporting the potential of NRICM102 to modulate inflammation and immune responses associated with COPD-related pathology, although further studies are needed to establish its therapeutic relevance.