Testing a plant supplement to slow lung scarring and improve breathing

This trial is testing whether quercetin, a natural compound found in plants, can help patients with pulmonary fibrosis—a disease where lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff. Half of the 100 participants will take quercetin as a daily supplement along with their regular lung disease treatment, while the other half will continue with standard treatment alone. Researchers will measure changes in lung function, inflammation markers, and quality of life over several months.

Current treatments for pulmonary fibrosis slow the disease but don't stop it, and patients continue to decline over time. This medication is being studied because early research suggests it may reduce inflammation and cellular aging in the lungs—two key drivers of scarring—offering a potential new way to help patients breathe better and live longer.