Inhibitory effect of methanolic extract of Chrozophora tinctoria on lung

Chrozophora tinctoria(Euphorbiacea)is an annual which is endemic to Egypt, Japan and Iran.Methanolic extract of C. tinctoria inhibits the carcinogenic potential of 7, 12- dimethylbenz (a) anthracene(DMBA).This is attributed to antioxidant profile of this plant. Effects of paraquat on the lung are believed to be through oxidative stress. This study aimed at evaluating the inhibitory effect of Chrozophora tinctoria (methanolic extract) on paraquat-induced oxidative stress in mice lung tissue. Eight groups including 8 male Swiss mice were randomly assigned to receive the following drug regimens for 15 days:Paraquat was injected as singledose on the last day of the study.Groups including paraquat were: Group 1)Normal saline, group 2)normal saline and paraquat (100 mg/kg), group 3) C.tinctoria(only), group 4)C.tinctoria and paraquat (100 mg/kg), group 5) vitamin E (8 mg/kg), group 6)vitamin E (8 mg/kg) and C.tinctoria, group 7) vitamin E (8 mg/kg) and paraquat (100 mg/kg), group 8) vitamin E (8 mg/kg) and C.tinctoria and paraquat (100 mg/kg). Severity of wounds and dehiscence of bronchial mucosa and hemorrhage, were significantly (p<0.01)lower in groups receiving vitamin E,methanolic extract of C. tinctoriaor or both before paraquat intoxication comparing with mice with no prophylaxis. According to our results, methanolic extract of C. tinctoria is effective against oxidative stress in lungs due to paraquat intoxication.