Effect of Quercetin on lipid peroxidation and changes in lung morphology in experimental influenza virus infection

Influenza virus infection, induced experimentally in mice, was associated with marked changes in lung morphology viz. epithelial damage with focal areas of reactive papillary hyperplasia, infiltration of leukocytes and development of oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased superoxide radical production and lipid peroxidation (LPO) products by alveolar macrophages. These effects were observed on the 5th day after virus instillation. The levels of superoxide and LPO were measured spectrophotometrically by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay, respectively. The former increased by 1.5 - 2 fold and the latter was raised by 85% when compared with normal control. Supplementation of intranasal viral instillation with the anti-oxidant, Quercetin, given orally, resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of both superoxide radicals and LPO products. There was also a significant decrease in the number of infiltrating cells. A mild to moderate protective effect was observed in lung morphology. Thus, Quercetin may be useful as a drug in reducing the oxidative stress induced by influenza virus infection in the lung, and protect it from the toxic effects of the free radicals.