Protective effects of apigenin, a bioflavonoid, on Benzo[a]Pyrene-Induced lung injury via modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v16i4.1962Abstract
Background: Apigenin (API) is a flavonoid known for its antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory effects, which help prevent and slow the progression of pathogenesis.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the lung-protective effect of API in benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung injury.
Methods: Biochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate oxidative stress and inflammation in different experimental groups. Furthermore, lung tissue architecture and fibrosis were examined through histopathological analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed to assess interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression.
Results: The BaP-administration group showed decreased antioxidant enzyme levels and increased levels of inflammatory markers. These adverse effects on lung tissue were reversed by API treatment. Moreover, API significantly reduced lung tissue alterations, including congestion, inflammation, hemorrhage, and fibrosis, compared to the BaP-administered group. Moreover, lung tissue from the control group showed no IL-6 protein expression, whereas BaP-treated rats exhibited strong cytoplasmic IL-6 expression. In the BaP + API-treated group, a marked reduction in IL-6 immunoreactivity was observed compared to the BaP-treated group. The findings of this study demonstrate that API possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and restores lung tissue architecture.
Conclusion: These results suggest that apigenin could serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for lung-associated pathogenesis. Therefore, these findings indicate that apigenin may act as an auspicious natural therapeutic agent for lung-related pathogenesis.
Novelty of the Study: This study demonstrates that apigenin (API) protects against BaP-induced lung injury. API administration was associated with reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, as demonstrated by the restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and improved lung tissue architecture. These results reveal the potential of API as a natural therapeutic agent and deliver a basis for its future application in functional foods and nutraceuticals targeting lung health.
Keywords: Apigenin; Benzo[a]pyrene; Oxidative stress; Lung injury; Pulmonary fibrosis; Interleukin-6 (IL-6); Functional foods.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abdulaziz Mohammed Ali Alhoshaiyan, Mohhamed Yousef Ibrahim Alkhalil, Adel Ibrahim Aldakhil, Hajed Obaid A. Alharbi
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