Preventive effects of hesperidin in an experimental model ofs acute lung inflammation

In this study, we hypothesized that long-term administration of hesperidin can modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in animals submitted to mechanical ventilation (MV). Twenty-five C57BL/6 male mice were divided into 5 groups: control, MV, animals receiving hesperidin in three doses 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg. The animals received the doses of hesperidin for 30 days via orogastric gavage, and at the end of the period the animals were submitted to MV. In animals submitted to MV, increased lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage cell counts were observed in the blood and airways. Associated to this, MV promoted an increase in inflammatory cytokine levels such as CCL2, IL-12 and TNFα. The daily administration of hesperidin in the three doses prevented the effects caused by MV, which was observed by a lower influx of inflammatory cells into the airways, a reduction in inflammatory markers and less oxidative damage. •Daily administration of hesperidin minimized cell recruitment to the airways.•Hesperidin reduced the oxidative damage triggered by mechanical ventilation.•Daily administration of hesperidin reduced levels of inflammatory mediators.•Mechanical ventilation promoted lower IL-17 expression in the lung parenchyma.