Protective Effects of Safranal Against Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rat

Lung and multi-organ injuries are caused by the herbicide paraquat (PQ). Safranal (Saf), the principal compound found in Crocus sativus , exhibits a diverse array of pharmacological properties, encompassing anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunoregulatory activities. The potential preventive impacts of Saf and pioglitazone (Pio), in comparison to dexamethasone (Dexa), were investigated in rats to assess their efficacy in mitigating lung injury induced by PQ aerosol. Saline aerosol was given to the control (Ctrl) group of rats, whereas PQ aerosol was given to the other six groups (PQ), eight times every other day. PQ groups were given either saline (PQ), two doses of Saf (Saf (L), 0.8 mg/kg/day and Saf (H), 3.2 mg/kg/day), pioglitazone (Pio, 5 mg/kg/day), the combination of Saf (L) + Pio, or Dexa (0.03 mg/kg/day) during PQ exposure for 16 days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thiol levels decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine, and lung pathological changes were increased in the PQ group. Significant improvements were seen in all treated groups, with the exception of a few variables in Saf (L). The combination of Saf (L) + Pio had a greater effect than Saf (L) or Pio alone. All comparisons had p values < 0.05 to < 0.001. The Saf and Pio show promising combined preventative abilities, suggesting that the PPARγ receptor plays a role in Saf impact.