High Cholesterol Diet and Its Effect on Lung Tissue and the Protective Role of Malva Parviflora Seed Extract in Male Albino Rats

Obesity, driven by high-fat diets, is a global health concern that contributes to various chronic diseases, including respiratory disorders. Despite extensive research, the impact of high-fat diets on lung tissue remains underexplored, particularly regarding potential protective interventions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on lung tissue in male rats and assess the protective role of *Malva parviflora* seed extract and rosuvastatin. Thirty male rats, aged 8-10 weeks and weighing 210-230 g, were divided into six groups: a control group, a high-cholesterol diet group (3% cholesterol), a group receiving *Malva parviflora* seed extract (100 mg/kg body weight), a group receiving rosuvastatin (2 mg/kg body weight), a group fed a high-cholesterol diet and *Malva parviflora* seed extract, and a group fed a high-cholesterol diet and rosuvastatin. Histological analysis of lung tissue revealed significant fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the high-cholesterol diet group. Notably, rats treated with *Malva parviflora* seed extract exhibited a protective effect against lung fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. In contrast, rosuvastatin did not demonstrate a protective role in preventing lung tissue damage induced by the high-cholesterol diet, either alone or in combination with the extract. These findings indicate that *Malva parviflora* seed extract may offer a novel approach to mitigating lung damage associated with high-fat diets, while the efficacy of rosuvastatin in this context remains questionable. This study highlights the need for further investigation into dietary interventions for lung health, particularly in the context of obesity and high-fat diets.