Table 3.

New experimental drugs for BPD.

Experimental drug	Proposed mechanism of action as seen in animal models
Stem cell therapy • MSC • MSC exosomes/extracellular vesicles • Endothelial progenitor cells • Human amnion epithelial cells	• Improved cell growth, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. • ↓ inflammation/fibrosis • ↓ oxidative injury
Other anti-inflammatory agents • DHA • CC10/CC16 • IL1RA • Pentoxifylline	• ↓ inflammation
Antioxidants • Superoxide dismutase	• ↓ inflammation • ↓ oxidative injury • Preservation of pulmonary angiogenesis
Nutritional supplements • Inositol • L-Citrulline	• Inositol: ↑ production of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol • L-Citrulline: ↑ production of nitric oxide via role on arginine/NO pathway
Hormones • Erythropoietin (EPO)	• Upregulation of epidermal growth factor-line domain 7 • ↓ alveolar simplification • ↓ fibrosis • Improved angiogenesis
Growth factors and RNAs • rhIGF1/rhIGFBP3 • HIF-α • VEGF • miRNA, lncRNA	• ↑ cellular proliferation • Regulation of alveolarization and angiogenesis • ↓ oxidative stress

The above experimental drugs, although promising, lack evidence of safety and efficacy, and must be used in research settings only.