Caryocar coriaceum fixed oil attenuates E-cigarette Aerosol-Induced pulmonary injury and oxidative stress in mice.

Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. (pequi) is traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammatory and respiratory disorders. Its fixed oil exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in pulmonary diseases. To investigate the protective effects of Caryocar coriaceum fixed oil (CCFO) against e-cigarette aerosol-induced lung injury in mice. Twenty-four male Swiss mice were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n = 6/group): control (GC; ambient air + vehicle), e-cigarette aerosol + vehicle (GFS), e-cigarette aerosol + 50 μL CCFO (GFP50), and e-cigarette aerosol + 100 μL CCFO (GFP100). Animals were exposed to e-cigarette aerosol for five consecutive days. Respiratory mechanics, bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity, oxidative stress biomarkers, arterial blood gases, morphometric and stereological parameters, collagen deposition, and lung histopathology were evaluated. E-cigarette aerosol exposure significantly impaired pulmonary function, increasing airway and tissue resistance and elastance while reducing static compliance, inspiratory capacity, and arterial oxygenation. These alterations were accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, oxidative stress, reduced mean linear intercept associated with increased septal volume density, alveolar septal thickening, edema, hemorrhage, and increased collagen deposition. CCFO treatment, particularly at 3,6 mg/kg, significantly attenuated these effects by improving respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, reducing leukocyte recruitment and oxidative stress markers, preserving lung architecture, and decreasing extracellular matrix deposition. Caryocar coriaceum fixed oil protected against e-cigarette aerosol-induced lung injury by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress while preserving pulmonary structure and function in this acute murine model. These findings support the ethnopharmacological relevance of C. coriaceum and provide experimental evidence supporting further preclinical investigation of its potential for respiratory disorders associated with inhalation-induced lung injury.