Fuente: PubMed "essential oil" Int J Mol Sci. 2026 Jan 30;27(3):1401. doi: 10.3390/ijms27031401.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible interstitial lung disease in which the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. Due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Thymus species, it is hypothesized that they may suppress pulmonary fibrosis by modulating the TGF-β/SMAD pathway. This study aimed to investigate the potential antifibrotic effects of Thymus syriacus essential oil (TS) on the TGF-β/SMAD pathway in bleomycin-induced PF.METHODS: PF was induced with bleomycin, and TS was administered at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/mL for 28 days. mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1, SMAD2, COL1, and α-SMA in lung tissues isolated were analyzed using real-time PCR and ELISA. TNF-α levels in BALF were measured by ELISA. ROS and MDA levels in lung issues were determined using 2,7-DHCFDA and TBARS tests, respectively. Histopathological evaluation was performed using Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Blood samples were analyzed for kidney, liver, and cardiac toxicity markers. The chemical composition of TS was determined by GC-MS.RESULTS: TS significantly reduced levels of TGF-β1, SMAD2, COL1, α-SMA, TNF-α, ROS and MDA compared to the BLM group. PF alterations were markedly attenuated by TS treatment. Thymol, p-cymene and carvacrol were identified as major constituents of TS.CONCLUSION: Overall, TS alleviates pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β/SMAD2 signaling pathway.PMID:41683822 | PMC:PMC12898269 | DOI:10.3390/ijms27031401