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Updated: May 1, 2026
A Mouse Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis Induced by Nasal Bleomycin Nebulization
Published on: January 20, 2023
Preventive effects of pomegranate seed extract on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rat
Ali Asghar Hemmati1, Annahita Rezaie2, Pegah Darabpour1
1School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Background:
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and many antioxidant agents have been used for the treatment of this disease in animals.
Objectives:
To evaluate the antioxidant effects of pomegranate seed extract (PSE) on bleomycin treated rats.
Materials And Methods:
Male Spraque - Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: rats in groups I (bleomycin) and II (control) were given a single dose of bleomycin (7.5 IU/kg, intratracheally) in the bleomycin group and same amount of saline in the control, respectively. Treatment groups (III-V) were given PSE (100,200,400 mg/kg) orally a week before the bleomycin injection and this was continued for 3 weeks. At day 28, animals were sacrificed and lungs were removed for histological investigation.
Results:
Histological analysis showed that PSE could prevent pathological changes that were seen in the bleomycin group.
Conclusions:
Results of the present study showed that hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate seeds had a significant protective effect against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by its antioxidant properties. The highest protective effect was observed for the 400 mg/kg dose.
