## 1 Introduction  
Chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer, enormously affect health and these diseases are linked to millions of deaths worldwide [1]. The respiratory diseases are strongly related to smoke inhalation, and benzopyrene [B(a)P] is the main component of tobacco smoke. This compound belongs to the family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and is known as the most harmful compound in lung pathogenesis [2; 3; 4; 5]. It is recognized that B(a)P undergoes successive metabolic activation stages, mainly through cytochrome P450, that shows a vital role in the drug's metabolism and produces 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-benzo(a)pyrene. This product is supposed to be the definitive carcinogenic metabolite of benzopyrene that causes formation of DNA adducts [6]. For the activation of B(a)P, the enzymes involved and the subsequent binding to DNA have been well-proven in lung-based studies [7], and cause numerous toxicities such as airway inflammation [8]. Acute exposure to B(a)P alters the cellular antioxidant levels [9] and causes numerous changes in the lungs, including edema, inflammation, and epithelial damage [10]. Moreover, numerous studies have proven that B(a)P induces inflammatory responses, and inflammatory mediators are increased during B(a)P-induced genotoxicity [11; 12].  
The current mode of treatment in lung pathogenesis with anti-inflammatory drugs is not very effective and causes various side effects. As a result, in order to explore a therapeutic approach, it is becoming more and more important to identify the pathobiological processes associated with lung pathogenesis and associated complications. The use of herbal-based natural compounds affects cellular mechanisms, and the role of natural products in inflammatory pulmonary diseases has been growing [13]. It has been discovered that using medicinal plants to treat and manage diseases in various traditional medical systems is a secure and cost-effective substitute for allopathic medications. Herbal-based natural compounds show an effect in disease management through enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities, immunomododulation, anti-inflammatory activities, reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulation of other biological activities. Finding a potent natural treatment for lung pathogenesis requires investigating medicinal plants and using a drug-repurposing strategy to identify potential therapeutic drugs against lung pathogenesis.  
Ajwa dates (_Phoenix dactylifera_) are a member of the Arecaceae family, specifically grown in the region of Medina, Saudi Arabia [14]. This fruit contains various ingredients including glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, and phytosterols [15]. These ingredients play a significant role in disease management through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, liver protection [16; 17], nephoprotective activity [18], and antihyperlipidemic activity [19]. In addition, organic solvent extracts of Ajwa date flesh and pits have been found to contain high radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities [20]. Although Ajwa has been found to have positive effects on a number of chronic diseases, the precise mechanism is still unknown. In this study, Ajwa date extract (ADE) was assessed for in vivo protective roles against benzopyrene-induced lung injury in rats as well as revealed its mechanisms associated with oxidative stress, inflammatory process, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.