Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a dysmetabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. In the developed countries, DM
is the commonest life style disease that affects both old and young age. Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3)-mediated
pyroptosis may in fact aid in the development of diabetic complications. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid, can be present in
natural foods and plants. Many studies have reported the antioxidant role of quercetin on different tissues, but its effects on
NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in diabetic lung are unclear. The current study aimed to assess quercetin’s protective effects
on lung function, oxidative stress, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in Wister rats exposed to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
DM. Forty male Wister rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups. The groups of rats were as follows: group 1 (G1)
was kept under normal control conditions; G2 was injected I/P quercetin at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.wt., daily for 30 days; G3
and G4 were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) 50 mg/kg b.wt. I/P to induce DM. After 72-h post diabetes
induction, the rats of G4 were treated with quercetin as a manner in the second group. The results showed that quercetin
ameliorates the pulmonary dysfunctions caused by DM through restoring the levels of glucose, insulin, and arterial blood
gases, as well as the oxidative markers. Also, NLRP3-pyroptosis-mediated IL1β was inhibited. Quercetin also reduces the
effect of DM on the lung by decreasing the pathological changes in the lung. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome-induced
pyroptosis may aggravate lung injury in diabetic rats. Quercetin has the potential to ameliorate diabetes induced pulmonary
dysfunction by targeting NLRP3.
Keywords Arterial blood gases · Diabetic