The Protective Effect against Lung Injury of Phytosome Containing the Extract of Purple Waxy Corn Tassel in an Animal Model of PM2.5-Induced Lung Inflammation

Lung inflammation caused by fine particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5, poses a significant public health challenge, with oxidative stress and inflammation playing central roles in its pathophysiology. This study evaluates the protective effects of phytosome-encapsulated extract of purple waxy corn tassel (PPT) against PM2.5-induced lung inflammation. Male Wistar rats received PPT at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW for 21 days prior to exposure and continued to receive the same doses for 27 days during PM2.5 exposure. Significant reductions in inflammatory markers, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), various interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), were observed, indicating that PPT effectively regulates the inflammatory response. Additionally, PPT improved oxidative stress markers by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thereby restoring lung antioxidant defenses. Notably, the study revealed that PPT modulates epigenetic mechanisms, as evidenced by decreased histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and upregulation of sirtuins in lung tissue. These epigenetic modifications likely contribute to the reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting a multifaceted protective role of PPT that involves both direct biochemical pathways and epigenetic regulation. The interplay between reduced inflammatory signaling, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and epigenetic modulation underscores PPT’s potential as a therapeutic agent for managing respiratory inflammation-related diseases and its promise for the development of future functional food products.