Effect of hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi on belomycin pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction: Dracocephalum kotschyi is an Iranian traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory activity of D. kotschyi extract is attributed to its components apigenin and luteolin. In animal model of fibrosis, it has been shown that apigenin and luteolin prevent fibrosis in animal model. The objective of this research was to investigate preventive effect of D. kotschyi extract in bleomycin induced fibrosis.Method: Fibrosis was induced by intratracheal administration of single dose of bleomycin (5mg/Kg) in rat. Rats were divided in eight groups (n=6). One group received daily administration of normal saline. Other groups were treated daily with oral administration of either hydroalcoholic or aqueous extracts of D. kotschyi (20mg/kg, 40mg/kg, 80mg/kg). Another group was treated with pirfenidone (100mg/kg). After 4 weeks daily treatments, the animals were sacrificed and whole lungs were dissected out for biochemical and histopathatological examination. The biochemical examination included assessment of hydroxyproline (HP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Data expressed as mean±ESM and compared with control group using Student's t-test. This project was confirmed by the ethical animal committee of the university.Results: Intratracheal instillation of bleomycin significantly increase HP and MDA biomarker levels in compare to the sham group (P<0.001). In the positive control group treated with pirfenidone, there was mark reduction in both HP and MDA levels (P<0.001). Both hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of D. kotschyi significantly prevented elevation of HP and MDA levels at above oral doses in compare to the vehicle treated control group (P<0.001).Conclusion: Elevation of HP and MDA levels in the lung tissue is an indication of fibrosis and oxidative stress induction. Prevention of HP and MDA levels in this experiment indicate that D. kotschyi extract is a suitable remedy for treatment of respiratory fibrosis induced by drugs such as bleomycin.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dracocephalum kotschyi ، fibrosis ، malondialdehyde ، pirfenidone ، hydroxyproline