RECENT ADVANCES IN HERBAL DRUGS USED FOR TREATING CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and irreversible respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. It remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, largely associated with cigarette smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposure to harmful particles. Conventional pharmacological management—comprising bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors—offers only symptomatic relief and is often accompanied by severe adverse effects and drug resistance. These limitations have encouraged a growing interest in exploring herbal-based therapeutics that can provide safer, multi-targeted approaches for disease modulation. Recent studies have highlighted several promising herbal agents with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties capable of addressing the underlying pathophysiology of COPD. Curcuma longa (curcumin) suppresses NF-κB activation and reduces oxidative stress, while Glycyrrhiza glabra (glycyrrhizin) exhibits corticosteroid-like anti-inflammatory activity with fewer side effects. Boswellia serrata (boswellic acids) inhibits 5-lipoxygenase pathways, reducing leukotriene-mediated inflammation. In addition, Adhatoda vasica (vasicine), Tylophora indica, and Camellia sinensis have demonstrated bronchodilatory, mucolytic, and antioxidant effects in both preclinical and clinical investigations. Collectively, these findings suggest that phytotherapeutic interventions could serve as effective adjuncts or alternatives to conventional COPD therapies. However, further well-designed clinical trials, standardization of active constituents, and pharmacokinetic studies are essential to validate their safety and efficacy for large-scale therapeutic use.