Therapeutic potential of 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles on cigarette smoke-induced in-vitro model of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is strongly linked to cigarette smoke, which contains toxins that induce oxidative stress and airway inflammation, ultimately leading to premature airway epithelial cell senescence and exacerbating COPD progression. Current treatments for COPD are symptomatic and hampered by limited efficacy and severe side effects. This highlights the need to search for an optimal therapeutic candidate to address the root causes of these conditions.

18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles attenuate cigarette smoke-induced markers of impaired antiviral response in vitro.

Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable mortality, and it is the major contributor to diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. Cigarette smoke compromises the pulmonary antiviral immune response, increasing susceptibility to viral infections. There is currently no therapy that specifically addresses the problem of impaired antiviral response in cigarette smokers and COPD patients, highlighting the necessity to develop novel treatment strategies.