Effect of hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma flower on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via IL-6 modulation

Abstract

This study evaluates the antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory potential of a hydroethanolic extract of Butea monosperma flowers in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Swiss albino mice. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg orally) was administered for 21 days following oropharyngeal aspiration of bleomycin (2.5 mg/kg) and compared to pirfenidone (100 mg/kg). Para-meters assessed included lung index, serum IL-6 levels, and histopathological architecture (Ashcroft scoring). Preliminary phytochemical screening confirm-ed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, and glycosides. The disease control group exhibited severe fibrosis (Ashcroft score: 5), elevated lung index (1.3 ± 0.0%), and increased IL-6 levels (6.1 ± 0.2 pg/mL). The extract at 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.001) reduced the lung index to 1.0 ± 0.0% and IL-6 levels to 4.6 ± 0.2 pg/mL, with preserved pulmonary architecture (Ashcroft score: 1–2), demonstrating dose-dependent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects superior to pirfenidone.