Protecting effect of matrine on pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in rats

AIM:To study the effect of matrine on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its mechanism.METHODS:Pulmonary fibrosis model was estalished in male Wistar rots by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin(BLM).Then the rats were given matrine by the intrapefitoneal injection.Histological changes of the lungs were evaluated by HE stain and Masson's trichrome stain.Collagen content of the lung tissue was assessed by hydroxyproline concentration.Malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione pemxidase(GSH-PX)of the lung tissue were measured by colorimetric method.RESULTS:Pul- monary fibrosis of matrine group(OM)and hydrocortisone group(P)was improved as compared with that of group BLM.Hydroxyproline concentrations of group OM and group P were lower than that of group BLM(P0.05); The levels of MDA in the lung tissue were significantly in- creased in group OM and group P as compared with group BLM(P0.01).Therapeutic efficacy of the matrine was the same as the treatment of hormone in the rat model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.CONCLUSION: Matrine alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats,which related to the effectively inhibition of oxi- dative stress in lung tissues.