Evaluation of the Protective Effect of Diosmin in Attenuating Methotrexate-induced Lung Fibrosis in the Adult Albino Rat.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid analogue used in treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and many malignancies, including lung and breast cancer. Unfortunately, many side effects were reported due to the cytotoxic nature of MTX. Hematopoietic suppression, hepatotoxicity and lung toxicity are the most important life-threatening side effects. The predominant pathology of MTX-induced lung toxicity is pulmonary fibrosis and apoptosis. Diosmin is an unsaturated flavonoid glycoside, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of diosmin against MXT-induced lung fibrosis. Material and methods: Study was done at the House of Animals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University between March and May 2023. forty adult albino rats were used and divided in an equal pattern into 4 groups. Group I: received normal diet and normal amounts of water without any medication; group II: received diosmin (100mg/kg/day) daily for 28 days by oral gavage; group III: received MXT (3mg/kg/day) daily for 28 days by oral gavage; group IV: received both diosmin and MXT with the same previous doses for 28 days by oral gavage. Then, rats were sacrificed at 28th day, lung tissues were processed and microscopically examined. Results: Histological changes were severe in MXT-treated rats and significantly improved after cotreatment with diosmin. Conclusion: This study revealed that diosmin had a protective effect against MXT-induced lung fibrosis.