Effect of Malva neglecta Total Extract on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

Authors
Amir Albabay
Ali Hosseini Sharifabad
Afsaneh Yegdaneh
Mahdi Tavakolizadeh
Hamide Dabaghydost
10.61186/ibj.25th-11th-IACRTIMSS
Abstract
Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive respiratory disease. Malva neglecta possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of this plane species on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM).

Methods and Materials: Male Wistar rats (n = 36; 180-200 g) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). The control group (Group I) received normal saline intratracheally (single dose) on day one. Other groups received a single dose of BLM (7.5 IU/Kg) intratracheally on the first day. The animals were then fed daily for 28 days as follows: normal saline (Group II), pirfenidone (Group III), 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg Malva neglecta extract (Groups IV, V, and VI, respectively). The rats were finally euthanized, and the lung tissues were removed for histological analysis and biochemical assessments.

Result: Intratracheal administration of BLM significantly increased the lung tissue levels of hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde, and free radicals compared to the control group (p = 0.001). Malva neglecta at the dose of 900 mg/kg significantly prevented the increase of these factors compared to the BLM group (p = 0.001). At the same dosage, the plant significantly decreased the aforementioned factors in comparison to its lower dosage (p = 0.01). Lung tissues in BLM-treated groups showed severe tissue damage. In addition, hydroalcoholic extracts of Malva neglecta prevented the pathological damage of BML on the lung tissue.

Conclusion and Discussion: Our findings indicate that the total extract of Malva neglecta may be effective in treating pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM. This effect is likely associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the Malva neglecta extract.



Keywords
Bleomycin
Fibrosis
Rats