Effects of huayulifei on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and the expression of Smad3 in lung tissue

Object To explore the protective effect and the possible mechanism of Huayulifei on pulmonary fibrosis in rats.Method The rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Huayulifei group and hydrocortisone group.The rats were then intratracheally dripped with bleomycin(5 mg/kg) in experimental groups,while 0.9% saline in control group.Treatments started from the next day with a daily oral Huayulifei(13410 mg/kg) in Huayulifei group,intraperitoneal Hydrocortisone sodium succinate(25 mg/kg) in Hydrocortisone group,and oral saline in control group and model group,respectively.Rats were killed at 14 and 28 days after bleomycin,lungs isolated for Hematoxylin and eosinηstaining,and the expression of Smad3 protein was measured by immunohistochemical technique.Results The alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in Huayulifei group was alleviated significantly compared with those in model group and hydrocortisone group.The expression of Smad3 protein was significantly higher in model group and hydrocortisone group.Conclusion Huayulifei can ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats;It may partly work by modulating the expression of Smad3 in lung tissue.