This common cough syrup ingredient can treat a serious lung disease

Fibrotic lung disease

or lung fibrosis is a life threatening condition where there is

scarring of the lungs

, making it difficult to breathe. The scarring in the lungs thickens the tissues in the lungs and makes it hard to absorb oxygen.
Recently, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) have found that an ingredient present in common cough syrups can actually save those having this serious lung condition.
“According to research based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease, fibrotic disease accounts for 17.8% of global deaths, and currently no cure is available. In collaboration with other researchers, EMBL scientists employed a variety of ‘omics’ technologies and microscopy to screen for a potential treatment for fibrosis, testing a library of FDA-approved drugs,” the researchers have said in an official statement.

What is this ingredient?

The scientists have found that

Dextromethorphan

, an active ingredient in cough syrups and cough/cold treatments, sold without a prescription around much of the world, proved to be most effective against lung fibrosis.
The findings of the study have been published in Science Translational Medicine journal.
“To screen for a potential anti-fibrotic drug, we used first, high-throughput microscopy of an optimised ‘scar-in-a-jar’ assay to identify potential drugs inhibiting collagen trafficking, followed by a variety of techniques such as proteomics, transcriptomics, microscopy. These allowed us to pin down the mechanisms of action of the drug,” Muzamil Majid Khan, EMBL research associate and the paper’s first author said.

“It is important to remember that this is still fundamental research and only a very first step in understanding dextromethorphan’s impact on lung fibrosis. That said, this fundamental discovery does seem to offer promising therapeutic potential,” Rainer Pepperkok, EMBL group leader and senior author of this paper said.

Lung fibrosis

Lung fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis, is a condition where lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, leading to stiffness and difficulty in breathing. This progressive disease limits the lungs’ ability to efficiently transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, fatigue, and chest discomfort. While the exact cause often remains unknown, factors such as long-term exposure to toxins, infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications may contribute to its development.

Avoiding exposure to known risk factors like smoking, environmental pollutants, and hazardous chemicals can reduce the risk.
Lung fibrosis has no definitive cure, but ongoing research and advances in treatment options offer hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for those affected by this debilitating disease.