Fig. 9

H&E-stained histological evaluation of rat lungs in the Control, Paraquat (PQ), Paraquat with Boric acid-functionalized Bentonite nanostructures (PQ + BABT), and Paraquat with Boric acid (PQ + BA) groups on day 14 after PQ administration (× 100 magnification, Scale bar= 200 µm). Compared with the Control group, PQ intoxication showed progressive atelectasis and accumulation of inflammatory cells (chronic inflammation) in the alveolar space and septum. BABT nanostructures-treated groups showed remarkably decreased atelectasis (AT) and chronic inflammation (CI), while these changes were no less in the BA-treated groups.