<![CDATA[This study aimed to develop a cempedak fruit peel extract (Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr.) emulsion and evaluate its effect on hemoglobin levels and lung histopathology in cigarette smoke-exposed Wistar rats. This experimental study used a pre–post control group design involving 36 male Wistar rats divided into six groups: negative control, cigarette smoke-exposed positive control, non-emulsified extract, and emulsion groups at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg body weight. Among the 36 rats, 26 survived until the end of the study and were included in the final analysis. Cigarette smoke exposure was performed for 14 days using a smoking chamber. Particle size was characterized by laser diffraction, hemoglobin levels were measured before and after treatment, and lung histopathology was assessed semiquantitatively. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, and two-way mixed-effects models. The emulsion showed a micrometer-sized particle profile with a median diameter (D50) of 16.17 µm. Hemoglobin levels decreased at the threshold of statistical significance in the pooled pre–post analysis (p=0.05), but no significant treatment-related effect was found. Lung histopathology showed moderate inflammation in the positive control group, while severe inflammation with alveolar–interstitial hemorrhage was observed in the higher-dose emulsion groups. Overall, the current micrometer-sized emulsion did not demonstrate protective effects on hemoglobin levels or lung histopathology. Further nanoemulsion optimization and safety evaluation are required before continued biological testing.]]>
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