Protective Effects of Tunisian Orange Co-Product Extract and Oleuropein-Hesperidin Combination on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial pneumonia with acute lung damage leading to the deterioration of lung function and increased mortality risk. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the orange coproduct extract (OCE) and the combination of pure hesperidin and oleuropein (HO) on an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM). Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: the control group (G1), the BLM group (G2), 3 groups (G3, G4, G5) receiving a single dose of BLM combined with OCE extract at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg and group 6 (G6) receiving a single dose of BLM combined with HO: both pure major phenolic compounds of OCE (hesperidin at 50 mg/kg) and olive leaves (oleuropein at 2.5 mg/kg).  Oxidative stress in lung tissues was investigated using catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) assays and the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Treatment with OCE and HO were able to normalize the disturbance in oxidative markers' levels and showed a significant reduction in fibrosis score with no renal or hepatic toxic effects. In conclusion, OCE and HO exhibit antifibrotic effects on rat model of pulmonary fibrosis.