Protective Effects of Tunisian Orange Co-Product Extract and Oleuropein-Hesperidin Combination on Bleomycin-Induced...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease characterized by progressive scarring, functional decline, and high mortality.
• Current treatments for IPF have limited efficacy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
• Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential antifibrotic effects of orange coproduct extract (OCE) and a combination of hesperidin and oleuropein (HO) in a bleomycin-induced rat model of pulmonary fibrosis.
• To investigate the impact of OCE and HO on oxidative stress markers in lung tissue.

Main Methods:

• Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats using bleomycin (BLM).
• Animals were treated with varying doses of OCE or a combination of hesperidin and oleuropein (HO).
• Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in lung tissues.

Main Results:

• Both OCE and HO treatments significantly reduced the fibrosis score in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
• OCE and HO normalized the levels of oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD, GPX, MDA, LDH) in lung tissues.
• No significant renal or hepatic toxic effects were observed in the treated groups.

Conclusions:

• Orange coproduct extract (OCE) and the combination of hesperidin and oleuropein (HO) demonstrate significant antifibrotic properties.
• These natural compounds effectively mitigate oxidative stress associated with pulmonary fibrosis.
• OCE and HO represent promising therapeutic agents for pulmonary fibrosis with a favorable safety profile.