Globularia alypum L. phenolic rich extract ameliorates progressive pulmonary fibrosis induced by Bleomycin in Wistar rats

<bold>Background:</bold> Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and a progressive disease with limited treatment options. IPF is characterized by fibroblasts proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts leading to extracellular matrix components deposition inducing a respiratory failure. <bold>Aims and objectives:</bold> We aimed to investigate in this study the effect of Globularia alypum extract (GA) on an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) in Wistar rats. <bold>Methods:</bold> Animals were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Control group (G1), BLM group (G2), and 3 groups (G3, G4 and G5) which received single injection of BLM associated with intraperitoneal injection of GA extract at 2.5; 5 and 10 mg/kg respectively, for 4 weeks. At the end of the protocol, all rats were sacrificed and lungs were extracted. Antioxidant effects of GA in lung tissues were studied using standard spectrophotometric methods and fibrosis was assessed by histological analysis conforming to Ashcroft score. <bold>Results:</bold> Our phytochemical results showed the presence of antioxidant power in GA extract. Histological analysis revealed significant decrease in fibrosis score following treatment with 10mg/kg of GA extract. We also revealed normalization in catalase activity, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels which were altered following BLM treatment. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> GA extract play an antioxidant and antifibrotic activities due to its high content with polyphenols.