Dietary supplementation with leaf extract of Beta vulgaris L. var. benghalensis Hort. in modifying cytotoxicity of lead subacetate in mouse in vivo

A crude extract of leaves of Indian spinach (Beta vulgaris L. var. benghalensis Hort.) was observed to modify significantly the cytotoxic effects of a known carcinogen, lead subacetate in mice in vivo. Laboratory bred male Swiss albino mice were fed by gavaging the crude extract for 7 days daily (1.5 g fresh weight of leaf per kg b.w. of animal). On day 7, mice were injected intraperitoneally with three concentrations of the carcinogen (20, 30, 50 mg/kg b.w.). Chromosomes were studied from bone marrow cells, 24 h after exposure, following colchicine-fixative-air drying-Giemsa schedule. The endopints screened were chromosomal aberrations (CA) and damaged cells (DC). Lead subacetate, given alone, induced both CA and DC in frequencies directly related to the concentration. The leaf extract given alone, did not induce any aberrations. Prior priming with the extract as a dietary supplement reduced significantly the cytotoxic effects of the two lower concentrations of the carcinogen. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibition of clastogenic effect of cyclophosphamide and mitomycin C by Neem leaf-extract in mice

Azadirachta indica commonly known as ‘Neem’ is well known for its medicinal properties in the indigenous Indian system of medicine. Almost every part of the tree has some beneficial use. The anticlastogenic activity of ‘Neem’ against cyclophosphamide (CP) and mitomycin C (MMC) was studied in vivo in bone marrow cells of mice. Aqueous leaf-extracts of A. indica were injected intraperitoneally at doses 3, 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg body weight. Simultaneously, two known clastogens CP (10 mg/kg) and MMC (1.5 mg/kg) were administered individually to animals treated with 6 and 12 mg/kg of the leaf-extract. The end-points screened were chromosomal aberrations and damaged (aberrant) cells. Neem leaf-extract per se was found to be a weak clastogen; 6 and 12 mg/kg of the leaf-extract inhibited the clastogenicity of CP and MMC. The extent of inhibition was different for the two clastogens. An ANOVA test showed that the reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was significantly less when the leaf-extract was given in combination with CP. MMC co-administered with the leaf-extract showed a trend that was not statistically significant. The difference may be attributed to the degree of modulation of bioactivation of cytochrome P-450 enzymes, or the repair of damaged DNA or a difference in detoxification of the reactive species of the two genotoxicants. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protection against cytotoxic effects of arsenic by dietary supplementation with crude extract of Emblica officinalis fruit.

Dietary administration of a crude aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. fruit reduced significantly the cytotoxic effects of sodium arsenite administered orally. The crude extract (685 mg/kg bw) was given daily by gavaging to age and sex matched laboratory bread Swiss albino mice for 7 and 14 days, followed by a single dose of sodium arsenite (2.5 mg/kg bw = 1/10 of LD(50)). The animals were killed after 24 h and chromosome preparations made following a schedule of colchicine-fixative-air drying-Giemsa. The endpoints screened were chromosomal aberrations and damaged cells. The crude extract reduced arsenic damage bringing the cells almost to the normal level.     

强化SOD刺梨汁的抗突变作用

 目的：强化SOD刺梨汁(CLJES)为抗衰老保健药，研究其抗突变作用，以寻求更广阔的使用范围。方法：Ames试验［鼠伤寒沙门杆菌回复突变试验］参照Ames等1983年的方法，选用试验菌株TA₉₈,TA₁₀₀及阳性物(2 AF,AFB₁,NaN₃)进行平板掺入试验。小鼠骨髓细胞微核(MN)和染色体畸变(CA)试验中,CLJES［4,8,16 ml/(kg·d)］经ig,连续5 d,末两次同时ip环磷酰胺［CP 30 mg/(kg·d)］,所有动物末次给药后处死。结果：CLJES 5个剂量组(0.1,1,5,10,100 μl/皿)显著抑制2AF,AFB₁诱导的TA₉₈,TA₁₀₀(+S₉)和NaN₃诱导的TA₁₀₀(-S₉)的回复突变数，各剂量组间呈明显的剂量效应关系。CLJES明显降低CP诱发的小鼠MN率和CA率，亦有良好的剂量效应关系。结论：CLJES具有抗突变作用以及对遗传物质损伤的保护作用。     

Inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin on the frequency of micronuclei induced by sodium nitrite in mice

In this report the potency of chlorophyllin (CHL) was evaluated to prevent two types of damage produced by nitrite in mice: the increase of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE) and the bone marrow toxicity, measured as the index of polychromatic erythrocytes/normochromatic erythrocytes (PE/NE). The study was done in eight groups of male mice. The first three groups were administered orally for 4 days with sodium nitrite (10, 15 and 20 mg/kg), the daily administration with nitrite was followed by an intraperitoneal administration of CHL (4 mg/kg), three more groups were administered with the same amounts of nitrite, a seventh group of mice was treated with distilled water while another was treated with CHL (4 mg/kg). Our study produced two main results: (a) no bone marrow injury was induced by any of the tested chemicals, as indicated with the PE/NE index, and (b) CHL protected (as high as 44%) the MNPE produced in nitrite treated mice.     

Protective effect of Cassia occidentalis L. on cyclophosphamide-induced suppression of humoral immunity in mice

Cassia occidentalis L. (Kasaundi) is a widely used medicinal plant. Earlier, we have shown that it possesses antimutagenic activity against benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced mutagenicity in mice. In this study, we investigated if this plant could also provide protection against CP-induced immunosuppression in animal models. Swiss albino male mice were treated per os with the aqueous extract of C. occidentalis (100 mg/kg, body weight (b.w.)) for 14 days. Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally in a single dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. Body weight, relative organ weight, lymphoid organ cellularity, hemagglutination titre (HT), plaque forming cell (PFC) assay and quantitative hemolysis of SRBC (QHS) were studied in these animals. CP, as expected, showed suppressive effects on lymphoid organ weight and cellularity and other parameters of humoral immunity. Plant extract treatment itself produced no toxicity. The administration of plant extract to CP-exposed animals resulted in improved humoral responses. C. occidentalis treatment significantly (P<0.01) enhanced PFC response in CP-treated animals. In QHS assay, also C. occidentalis showed protection in CP-treated animals. Bone marrow cell counts, which were reduced in CP-treated animals, were reversed significantly (p<0.01) to normal levels in CP+ plant extract group animals. In our earlier study, we found that C. occidentalis modulated hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. It is suggested that by a similar mechanism, it may be influencing the hematotoxic and immunotoxic responses of cyclophosphamide.     

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of the extracts from the inflorescence of Chrysanthemum indicum Linné

Chrysanthemum indicum Linné (CI) has a long history for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension and respiratory diseases in China. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of the inflorescence or bud of CI extracts. The ethanol extract of CI (CIEE) was fractionated to a petroleum ether soluble fraction (CIPF), an ethyl acetate soluble fraction (CIEF), a butanol soluble fraction (CIBF) and a water soluble fraction (CIWF) successively. CIBF (150 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant inhibition on the auricle edema in mice. CIBF (150, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) not only significantly increased the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by 2,4-dinitro-fluorobenzene (DNFB) but also significantly enhanced antibody generation by splenic cells of mice and IgG and IgM levels in mice sera in response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced mice. Furthermore, CIBF (150, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) obviously potentiated the function of the mononuclear phagocytic system in CP-induced mice. The above results reveal that CIBF possesses anti-inflammatory, humoral and cellular immunomodulatory and mononuclear phagocytic activities, probably due to the presence of flavonoids.     

Inhibition of clastogenic effects of nicotine by chlorophyllin in mice bone marrow cells in vivo

The effect of chlorophyllin in modifying the clastogenic action of nicotine was tested in vivo on mice bone marrow cells. Nicotine, when administered by gavage, induced chromosomal aberrations in frequencies directly proportional to the dose. Maximum effects were recorded at 6 h after exposure. Chlorophyllin, when given alone, was not clastogenic even at the highest concentration (1.50 mg/kg body wt). Simultaneous administration of nicotine and chlorophyllin with even lower doses (1.25 and 0.77 mg/kg body wt) reduced the frequency of chromosomal aberrations to the normal level. Chlorophyllin alone, given 2 h before nicotine, however, did not counteract the effects of nicotine. The use of green plant parts in modifying the genotoxicity of different agents may be related to the protective action of chlorophyllin.     

叶黄素对顺铂所致大鼠急性肝损伤的防治作用

目的:观察叶黄素(LU)对顺铂(CP)诱导的大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法:将30只SD大鼠随机分为5组,分别为对照组、顺铂组、不同剂量叶黄素(10mg/kg、20mg/kg和40mg/kg)+顺铂组。大鼠连续灌胃叶黄素10天,第7天灌胃后l h腹腔注射顺铂(5mg/kg)。顺铂处理后,在第5天采血,测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)。采血后处死动物,测定肝脏系数、肝匀浆丙二醛(MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力,同时观察肝组织结构变化。结果:肝损伤模型组大鼠血清ALT、AST含量均明显高于对照组,肝组织匀浆中MDA及NO含量显著增加,而GSH含量及SOD活性显著下降。叶黄素可降低肝损伤大鼠血清ALT及AST水平,降低肝组织匀浆MDA及NO水平,提高组织GSH含量及SOD活性,并可改善顺铂损伤大鼠肝病理组织学变化,随着叶黄素剂量增加,其保护作用增强。结论:叶黄素通过抗氧化作用减轻顺铂诱导的大鼠肝损伤作用。     

Evaluation of chemopreventive action and antimutagenic effect of the standardized Panax ginseng extract, EFLA400, in Swiss albino mice

In the present investigation the chemopreventive action and antimutagenic effects of a standardized Panax Ginseng extract (EFLA400, processed Panax ginseng extract containing a high titre of ginsenoside Rg3 (>3.0% w/w) known as Phoenix ginseng) in Swiss albino mice have been evaluated. The oral administration of EFLA400 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight at pre, peri and post-initiational phases, showed significant reductions in the number, size and weight of the papillomas. A significant reduction in tumour incidence (71.41 +/- 6.73%, 72.19 +/- 4.54% and 70.46 +/- 0.38% at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively) was observed in animals in the EFLA400 treated group compared with 100% tumour incidence in the control group. The cumulative number of papillomas during an observation period of 16 weeks was significantly reduced in the EFLA400 treated group (24 +/- 0.94, 16 +/- 1.41 and 11 +/- 1.41 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively). However, the average latent period was significantly increased from 10.81 +/- 0.1 weeks in the control group to 12.39 +/- 0.28 weeks in the treated group (10 mg/kg body weight). The average tumour weight was recorded as 128.55 +/- 8.48, 116.00 +/- 8.48 and 57.5 +/- 3.29 mg in 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated groups respectively. Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induction was also evaluated in bone marrow cells. These genotoxicity end-points were compared with papilloma occurrence at the same dose levels of carcinogen and ginseng. In the EFLA400 treated groups significantly reduced frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induced by DMBA and croton oil were observed. However, the maximum decrease in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei were recorded in the 10 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated group than that of the 1 and 3 mg/kg body weight EFLA400 treated animals. The results from the present study suggest the dose dependent effectiveness of EFLA400 in chemoprevention and antimutagenicity in Swiss albino mice.     

葛根素注射液致体内外溶血反应及其机制研究

目的:探讨葛根素注射液可能引起的溶血反应及其机制。方法:采用人红细胞进行体外溶血性实验;KM小鼠进行体内实验,设80、160mg/kg葛根素注射液和5%葡萄糖组,小鼠尾静脉给药7d/周期,停药5d,给药4个周期。于给药前、每周期末次给药后,进行溶血和血液指标检测,以确定发生溶血的小鼠。对发生溶血的小鼠测定其红细胞渗透脆性范围和膜胆固醇(Ch)、磷脂(Pl)含量,进行直接抗球蛋白试验(DAT),显微镜观察肝、肾组织结构。结果:所用葛根素注射液未引起人红细胞体外溶血反应;在动物第4个周期给药后,80mg/kg组有2只(6.67%)小鼠表现溶血反应,其粪隐血实验阳性,红细胞数、血红蛋白值降低,网织红细胞数增多;肝、肾组织结构发生病理改变。与5%葡萄糖组相比,溶血小鼠红细胞渗透脆性范围、膜Ch/Pl比值未见异常,DAT实验IgG(+)。160mg/kg组小鼠均未发生溶血反应。结论:所用葛根素注射液未引起人红细胞体外溶血;反复给药可致小鼠偶发溶血,但与剂量无关;其溶血发生机制与红细胞膜渗透脆性和流动性无关,与IgG型免疫应答有关。     

Comparison of the effects of crude extract of spinach-beet leaves and equivalent amounts of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin in modifying the clastogenic activity of chromium (VI) oxide in mice in vivo

The anticlastogenic activities of a crude extract of leaves of spinach-beet (Beta vulgaris var. benghalensis Hort.) and equivalent amounts of chlorophyll extracted from the leaves and of synthetic chlorophyllin in reducing cytotoxicity were compared following exposure of mice in vivo to a known clastogen chromium (VI) oxide. Male Swiss albino mice were administered orally the vegetable extract for 7 consecutive days and then exposed to the clastogen by gavage (20 mg/kg b wt). For comparison, equivalent amounts of extracted chlorophyll and synthetic chlorophyllin were administered to the mice, 2 h before exposure to the same dose of the metal. Chromosomes were studied from bone marrow cells 24 h after exposure, following colchicine-hypotonic-fixative-flame drying-Giemsa staining schedule. Chlorophyllin and the crude extract, when given alone, did not induce chromosomal aberrations and reduced the clastogenic effects induced by chromium (VI) oxide to a statistically significant level, indicating a protective action. Chlorophyll, however, produced a significant increase of chromosomal aberrations compared with control, when administered alone and was not able to reduce the clastogenicity of the metallic salt to a significant level.     

枸杞多糖对放疗及化疗引起的小鼠骨髓抑制的影响

目的研究枸杞多糖(Lycium barbarum polysaccharide,LBP)对放疗及化疗引起的小鼠骨髓抑制的治疗作用。方法用550cGyX-射线照射引起小鼠放疗所致的骨髓抑制模型,以及一次性腹腔注射卡铂(Carboplatin,CB)125mg/kg引起小鼠化疗所致的骨髓抑制模型,于小鼠造模后4～6h内,皮下注射给予LBP50、100、200mg/kg体重,每日1次,连续给药7d,并于给药后不同的时间点尾尖取血,观察受试小鼠外周血白细胞(WBC)、红细胞(RBC)及血小板(PLT)的变化。结果LBP高剂量组(LBP-H,200mg/kg)在第13天,LBP中剂量组(LBP-M,100mg/kg)在第17、21天,能明显提高放疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血WBC的数目,与同时期的模型组相比有显著性差异;LBP各剂量组在第17、25天能明显提高放疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血RBC的数目,与同时期的模型组相比有显著性差异;LBP-H、LBP-M在第10、13、17、21天,LBP低剂量组(LBP-L,50mg/kg)在第13、17天,能明显提高放疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血PLT的数目,与同时期的模型组相比有显著性差异。LBP各剂量组对化疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血WBC的数目,有一定的增加趋势,但无统计学差异;LBP-H在第13、15、17、20天,LBP-M、LBP-L在第15、17天能明显提高化疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血RBC的数目,与同时期的模型组相比有显著性差异;LBP各剂量组在第7、10天,LBP-H在第13、15、17天,LBP-M在第13、15天,能明显提高化疗所致的骨髓抑制小鼠的外周血PLT的数目,与同时期的模型组相比有显著性差异。结论LBP能够促进放疗及化疗引起的小鼠骨髓抑制小鼠的造血功能的恢复。     

青风藤及青藤碱对吗啡依赖小鼠位置偏爱效应及脑内组胺水平的影响

目的:探讨青风藤及其有效成分青藤碱对吗啡诱导的小鼠条件性位置偏爱(CPP)及脑内组胺(HA)水平的影响。方法:连续给予吗啡(9mg/kg,sc)6d,引起小鼠产生显著的条件性位置偏爱效应。在位置偏爱训练的第4天开始每天sc吗啡前45min分别给予青风藤醇提液(10g/kg,ig)、青藤碱(60mg/kg,im)、苯海拉明组(30mg/kg,ip)、CP48/80组(5mg/kg,sc)或L组氨酸组(750mg/kg,ip),连续给药3天。用荧光分光光度法测定脑内组胺含量。同时检测对小鼠的奖赏效应或厌恶效应。结果:吗啡模型组小鼠在伴药箱中停留的时间明显延长,小鼠脑内HA水平显著升高。青风藤或青藤碱可显著抑制吗啡引起的小鼠位置偏爱的形成,降低脑内的HA含量。青风藤、青藤碱及L组氮酸对正常小鼠脑内组脑水平有升高作用,但三药本身并不使小鼠产生奖赏或厌恶效应。CP48/80对正常及吗啡依赖小鼠脑内组胺含均有明显减少作用,但该药对CPP无明显影响。结论:吗啡诱导的小鼠位置偏爱效应与脑内HA水平升高、中枢组胺能神经系统激活有关。青风藤及青藤碱能消除吗啡诱导的小鼠条件性位置偏爱的形成,对脑内组胺水平的改变具有调节作用。     

Preliminary investigation of the radiosensitizing activity of guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) in tumor-bearing mice

The radiosensitizing activity of dichloromethane extract of guduchi [Tinospora cordifolia (WILLD.) MIERS ex HOOK. F. & THOMS. Family: Menispermaceae (TCE)] in the mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) was investigated. The EAC mice received 0, 25, 30, 40, 50 or 100 mg/kg b.wt. TCE 1 h before exposure to 6 Gy hemi-body gamma-radiation and then once daily for another eight consecutive days after irradiation. The EAC mice receiving TCE for the above regimen showed a dose-dependent elevation in tumor-free survival; the highest radiosensitizing activity was observed at 30 mg/kg b. wt. TCE. Treatment of animals with 30 mg/kg b. wt. TCE, 1 h before exposure to 6 Gy of hemi-body gamma irradiation and subsequently once daily for another six consecutive days post-irradiation increased the life span of EAC mice. This is evident by more number of long-term survivors (LTS) as well as survivors beyond 120 days when compared to the group of animals that received TCE after irradiation for six consecutive days. Treatment modality was also altered to assess the radiosensitizing effect of TCE before and after irradiation. Evaluation of glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPx) in mice treated with TCE 1 h before irradiation and subsequently once daily for another six days showed a significant decline in GSH up to 14 h and GST up to 24 h accompanied by a significant elevation in LPx at 12 h post-irradiation. The radiosensitization of TCE may be due to depletion of glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase, accompanied by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage of tumor cells. Since Tinospora cordifolia is being used in India for treatment of various ailments, it may offer an alternative treatment strategy for cancer in combination with gamma radiation.     

傣医验方“傣痛消”对急性高尿酸血症小鼠UA、BUN、XOD的影响

目的:观察傣医验方"傣痛消"对急性高尿酸血症小鼠UA、BUN、XOD的影响并探讨其作用机理。方法:通过酵母膏灌胃复制高尿酸血症动物模型,以"傣痛消"、别嘌呤醇、苯溴马隆干预,检测血清尿酸(UA)、尿素氮(BUN)、黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)的水平。结果:傣痛消高、中、低剂量、别嘌呤醇均能显著降低小鼠血UA水平(P0.01);傣痛消高、中、低剂量、苯溴马隆均能显著降低高尿酸血症小鼠BUN浓度(P0.01);傣痛消高、中、低剂量、别嘌醇均能抑制高尿酸血症小鼠血X0D活性(P0.01)。结论:傣痛消高、中、低剂量均能降低小鼠血UA水平、BUN浓度以及抑制高尿酸血症小鼠血XOD活性,对高尿酸血症小鼠具有良好的保护作用,其作用机理可能与抑制黄嘌呤氧化酶活性有关。     

Protective effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) against mitomycin C induced micronuclei in mice

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a highly active anticancer drug commonly used alone and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of different cancers. Its bioactivated form critically damages the DNA present in both rapidly dividing cancerous cells as well as in normal cells. Genotoxicity in the normal cells makes this drug highly toxic; thereby decreasing its therapeutic index for clinical use. The study investigated the chemoprotective potential of American ginseng root extract against MMC by using the micronuclei test in a mouse test system. Pre-treatment with ginseng at doses 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, p.o. for 3 and 7 days significantly decreased the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). Similar protective effects were also observed during co-treatment with ginseng at similar doses for 3 and 7 days. The present results indicate that American ginseng extract is capable of suppressing the chromosomal aberration induced by MMC in mice. Thus, American ginseng may be a potent chemoprotective agent against the toxicity of the anticancer drug, mitomycin C.     

水飞蓟素预防顺铂肾毒性而不影响其抗癌活性

采用少量多次给大鼠腹腔注射顺铂 (CP) 模型 ,观察经口给予水飞蓟素 (SB) 后血尿素氮(BUN) 、一氧化氮 (NO) 含量及丙二醛 (MDA) 形成、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD) 活性等指标的变化。结果发现 ,CP使 BUN含量升高的同时 ,可使 NO、MDA生成量增多 ;而 SOD活性无变化 ;SB可使 BUN、MDA含量及 NO含量降至对照组水平 ,同时可使 SOD活性明显升高 ,表明 SB可预防 CP所致的肾损害 ,其机理可能与 SB降低 NO生成量有直接的关系。另外 ,SB有一定的抗肿瘤作用 ,对 CP的抗癌活性无影响。     

Effects of the gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil on the central nervous system

The gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil isolated as white crystals (CP crystals) significantly reduced pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Indomethacin (4 mg/kg) and atropine (0.044 mg/kg) significantly reversed the action of CP crystals on pentobarbitone sleeping time with indomethacin having a profound reversal effect. CP crystals significantly reduced the mean onset of convulsions and the mean death time in mice treated with a surely convulsive dose of strychnine. CP crystals significantly reduced the intensity of morphine and pethidine analgesia and prolonged the duration of pethidine analgesia. Most actions of CP crystals suggest that it stimulates the CNS and reduces the intensity of opioids (except codeine) while prolonging their duration of analgesic action.     

Madecassoside Ameliorates Bleomycin‐Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Downregulating Collagen Deposition

This study aimed to explore the protective effects of madecassoside (Mad), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Centella asiatica herbs, on experimental pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and underlying mechanisms. PF model was established in mice by endotracheal instillation with bleomycin (5 mg/kg). Mice were orally administered with Mad (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) and prednisone (5 mg/kg) for 7 or 21 days. Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) significantly improved lung pathological changes and reduced collagen deposition. In the aspect of collagen synthesis, Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) reduced the expressions of α‐smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), and inhibited the phosphorylations of Smad2 and Smad3 in the lung tissues. However, in vitro, Mad showed little effect on TGF‐β1‐induced phosphorylation of either Smad2 or Smad3 in primary mouse lung fibroblasts. Moreover, Mad (20, 40 mg/kg) attenuated oxidative damage and inflammation presented at the early stage of PF, evidenced by reduced total leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, decreased myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, and increased super‐oxide dismutase activity and glutathione level in lung tissues. On the other hand, Mad (40 mg/kg) elevated the matrix metalloproteinase 1/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 ratio in lung tissues of PF mice mainly by downregulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 expression. The present study demonstrated that Mad can ameliorate PF by preventing the deposition of extracellular matrix, which might be achieved mainly through attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress and consequent TGF‐β1 overexpression. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.