Abstract

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE AND /OR CURCUMIN AGAINST PULMONARY FIBROSIS INDUCED BY BLEOMYCIN IN MALE C57BL/6 MICE

E. A. Sherif*, W. K. El-Zawawy, A. H. Kamel and N. A. El-Shinnawy

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was constructed by intratracheal instillation of 1 mg/kg body weight of bleomycin to C57BL/6 mice. This caused alveolar epithelial cell damage and developed inflammation followed by fibrotic alveolar changes. Dexamethasone plays an important role in attenuating bleomycin induced lung fibrosis in mice. Also curcumin, is a naturally occurring compound that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, 70 male mice were divided into seven groups: the first group served as normal control receiving distilled water. The second group represented the dexamethasone group receiving 0.45 mg/kg/body weight. The third group served as curcumin group receiving 100 mg/kg body weight. The fourth group represented the bleomycin group and received single intratracheal dose (1 mg/kg body weight). The fifth group served as the bleomycin / dexamethasone, the sixth group represented the bleomycin / curcumin group and the seventh group represented the bleomycin / dexamethasone + curcumin group. Hydroxyproline was analyzed in lung tissues and lactate dehydrogenase was assessed in serum samples. Histological changes in the lung were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Masson’s trichrome staining was investigated for collagenous fibers deposition. The results elucidated that either dexamethasone or curcumin decreased lung fibrosis. In addition, combined treatments of dexamethasone and curcumin revealed better therapeutic effects on bleomycin induced lung fibrosis than the single treatment of either dexamethasone or curcumin alone. Thus, curcumin may act as an additive therapeutic strategy scavenging free radicals to improve the outcome of dexamethasone treatment in bleomycin- induced lung fibrosis mice model.

Keywords: Bleomycin, Curcumin, Dexamethasone, Hydroxyproline, Histopathology, Pulmonary fibrosis.