Codonopsis tangshen extract in aged mice: lung fibrosis, senescence and gut microbiota
In an abstract, aged mice given Codonopsis tangshen extract showed fewer markers of lung senescence and less age-related pulmonary fibrosis; the authors link this to signaling pathways and gut-lung axis changes. This is preclinical mouse and cell work, not evidence of benefit in people. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Aged C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups of ten, including young and natural-age controls and two extract doses. [1]
The extract significantly decreased histological and molecular markers of pulmonary senescence and attenuated age-related pulmonary fibrosis in aged mice. [1]
The extract reshaped gut microbiota composition and increased intestinal MUC2 and tight-junction proteins, supporting possible gut-lung axis involvement. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Preclinical animal study with complementary in vitro cell experiments (abstract).
- Population / context
- Aged C57BL/6J mice in five groups of ten, plus A549 cells in a bleomycin-induced senescence model.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 7, 2026
Aged mice, five groups, lung fibrosis focus
The abstract describes C57BL/6J mice randomly divided into five groups of ten: young control, natural-age control, high-dose extract (20.8 g/kg), low-dose extract (10.4 g/kg) and a positive drug group (YPF, 20.8 g/kg). The question was whether Codonopsis tangshen Oliv., a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, affects natural aging and age-related pulmonary fibrosis. A bleomycin-induced senescence model in A549 cells supplied complementary in vitro evidence. The abstract does not report how long the mice were treated or how old they were.
Supporting source [1]
Lung markers, signaling pathways and gut microbiota
According to the abstract, the extract significantly decreased histological and molecular markers of pulmonary senescence, improved several lung function parameters and attenuated age-related pulmonary fibrosis in aged mice. The authors report these effects were associated with modulation of the FBXW7/TPP1 and HSF1/HSP70 signaling pathways. The extract also changed gut microbiota composition and increased intestinal MUC2 and tight-junction proteins, which the authors say supports possible gut-lung axis involvement. These are associations in mice and cells; they do not show that the extract prevents or treats fibrosis in humans.
Supporting source [1]
Preclinical scope of the abstract only
The authors call Codonopsis tangshen a promising preclinical treatment for aging and age-related fibrotic lung injury. That is a preclinical assessment, not proof of clinical benefit. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract gives no information on randomization details, blinding, statistical uncertainty, adverse effects or whether the findings would apply to people.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is preclinical mouse and cell work, and the abstract reports no treatment duration, blinding, statistical uncertainty or human data.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Zhao Y, Gong Y, Zhu H, Zhang W, Cai M, Yang C, Silva O, Xu L, Guan Y, Zhu W. · europepmc.org · October 7, 2026