Patanjali claims it's possible to protect lungs from microplastics. What does microscopic cell analysis say?:Microplastics are increasing the risk of lung damage and fibrosis, while Patanjali's medicine Bronchom has shown effectiveness in reducing this damage in experiments.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Plastic is everywhere today. The bottle you drink water from, the packet your kids eat chips from, even milk sachets, medicine packaging, and almost every other item we use in our daily lives. This plastic is no longer confined to the outside world; it has also entered our bodies in the form of microplastics.

Microplastics are extremely small plastic particles, measuring less than 5 millimeters across—sometimes less than 10 microns. There are 1,000 microns in a millimeter, and in simple terms, these particles are smaller than a mustard seed. Today, microplastics are found in every corner of the Earth—from the heights of Everest to the depths of the ocean.

Now it's even inside our bodies. Scientific research has revealed that microplastics have been found in our blood, plasma, and even the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. According to one study, the average person today is consuming a credit card's worth of microplastics each week—either through breathing, food, or water.

Lungs hit: From microplastics to fibrosis

Microplastics enter the body and cause a variety of diseases, particularly affecting the lungs. These particles enter the respiratory system and affect lung function. This can lead to conditions like fibrosis, in which lung cells harden and the lungs become unable to function properly.

Structure and function of the respiratory system

The major organs of the respiratory system are: the nose, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), windpipe, and lungs. When we breathe, air passes through the nose and mouth, through the throat, into the lungs, and reaches the alveoli at the bottom. This is where oxygen exchange occurs. You may be surprised to know that our respiratory system is approximately 2400 km long, delivering oxygen to every part of the body.

Patanjali Research Institute's innovative initiative: Broncom

When a prestigious research paper published in 2022 revealed that microplastics had reached the lungs, scientists at the Patanjali Research Institute began working on the subject. The research began in 2023, and after more than a year of intensive study, the scientists concluded that the effects of microplastics could be reduced with the help of Ayurveda. Bronchom is an Ayurvedic medicine specifically developed for cleansing and strengthening the lungs.

Research process and scientific evidence

In this study, 88 mice were exposed to microplastic particles. They were then given the drug Bronchom. To assess the effects on their respiratory systems, a machine called the Flexivent System, capable of measuring respiratory function, was used.

The study found that Bronchomol restored lung function in mice in a dose-dependent manner. This means that the higher the dose of Bronchomol, the greater the improvement.

What does microscopic examination say ?

To understand respiratory tract inflammation, fluid was collected from the lungs of mice using a technique called BALF (Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid). It was found that microplastic exposure increased levels of immune cells such as leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. However, Bronchom administration reduced levels of all these cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, levels of inflammation-related genes such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were also reduced by Bronchom administration.

There is also a clear difference in histopathology.

Histopathology of lung tissue also confirmed that airways damaged by microplastics returned to normal after the use of Bronchom. Parameters such as lung elasticity, exhalation pressure, and airflow velocity also showed improvement. Bronchom also showed positive results in experiments on THP-1 cells (a human-based cell line), demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.