This study investigated the protective effect of arbutin(Arb) in yam on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI) in a mouse model and revealed its possible mechanism of action by metabolomics technology, providing a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of ALI. SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, resveratrol(Rv)-positive control group, Arb low-dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) group, and Arb high-dose(30 mg·kg~(-1)) group. The LPS-induced ALI model was established in all groups except the normal control group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, TUNEL staining, and WBP whole-body non-invasive pulmonary function testing were used to evaluate the degree of lung tissue damage and lung function changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the level of inflammatory factors in lung tissue. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the M1/M2 polarization status of macrophages in lung tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of the TLR4 signaling pathway and related apoptotic proteins. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer(LC-MS) metabolomics was used to analyze the changes in serum metabolic profile after Arb intervention. The results showed that Arb pretreatment significantly alleviated LPS-induced lung tissue injury, improved lung function, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors(IL-6, TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β), and regulated the polarization status of M1/M2 macrophages. In addition, Arb inhibited the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, up-regulated the level of Bcl-2 protein, and inhibited apoptosis of lung cells. Metabolomic analysis showed that Arb significantly improved LPS-induced metabolic abnormalities, mainly involving key pathways such as galactose metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and lipid metabolism. In summary, Arb can significantly reduce LPS-induced ALI by regulating the release of inflammatory factors, inhibiting the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, improving metabolic disorders, and regulating macrophage polarization, indicating that Arb has potential clinical application value.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Arbutin/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Protective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe disease caused by viral infection that triggers an uncontrolled inflammatory response. This study investigated the capacity of jasurolignoside (JO), a natural compound, to bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and treat ALI. The anti-inflammatory properties of JO were evaluated in vitro through Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and co-immunoprecipitation. The investigation utilized a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal model to examine the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of JO in vivo. JO attenuated inflammatory symptoms in infected cells and tissues by modulating the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Molecular docking simulations revealed JO binding to TLR4 active sites, confirmed by cellular thermal shift assay. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) demonstrated direct interaction between JO and TLR4 with a Kd value of 35.1 μmol·L^-1. Moreover, JO inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 secretion and reduced leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and macrophage infiltration in ALI-affected mice. JO also enhanced lung function and reduced ALI-related mortality. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated JO's ability to suppress TLR4 expression in ALI-affected mouse lung tissue. This study establishes that JO can bind to TLR4 and effectively treat ALI, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical applications.
Toll-Like Receptor 4/chemistry* ; Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Humans ; Ilex/chemistry* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Disease Models, Animal

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a significant complication of sepsis, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis. Neutrophils, as critical intrinsic immune cells in the lung, play a fundamental role in the development and progression of ALI. During ALI, neutrophils generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and excessive NETs can intensify inflammatory injury. Research indicates that Taohe Chengqi decoction (THCQD) can ameliorate sepsis-induced lung inflammation and modulate immune function. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which THCQD improves ALI and its relationship with NETs in sepsis patients, seeking to provide novel perspectives and interventions for clinical treatment. The findings demonstrate that THCQD enhanced survival rates and reduced lung injury in the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced ALI mouse model. Furthermore, THCQD diminished neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Notably, subsequent experiments confirmed that THCQD inhibits NET formation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, THCQD significantly decreased the expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) protein, and molecular docking predicted that certain active compounds in THCQD could bind tightly to PAD4. PAD4 overexpression partially reversed THCQD's inhibitory effects on PAD4. These findings strongly indicate that THCQD mitigates CLP-induced ALI by inhibiting PAD4-mediated NETs.
Extracellular Traps/immunology* ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Neutrophils/immunology* ; Male ; Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cytokines/metabolism*

The present study was designed to synthesize 2-Cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9(11)-en-28-oate-13β, 28-olide (1), a lactone derivative of oleanolic acid (OA) and evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 1 significantly diminished nitric oxide (NO) production and down-regulated the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further in vivo studies in murine model of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) showed that 1 possessed more potent protective effects than the well-known anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone by inhibiting myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, reducing total cells and neutrophils, and suppressing inflammatory cytokines expression, and thus ameliorating the histopathological conditions of the injured lung tissue. In conclusion, compound 1 could be developed as a promising anti-inflammatory agent for intervention of LPS-induced ALI.
Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; immunology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; immunology ; Oleanolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; Peroxidase ; genetics ; immunology ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of autophagy in acute lung injury (ALI) caused by multiple trauma in rats via pretreat with 3-methyladenine (3-MA).

METHODSForty-five Sprague-Dawley male rats, with age of 4 months and body weight of 250-300 g,were randomly divided into three groups. In the sham group, the rats received sphenotresia only;in the control group, the rats were made model of femur shaft fracture combined with brain injury, and treated with physiological saline by abdominal cavity at 1 hour before making model; in the 3-MA group, the rats were made model of femur shaft fracture combined with brain injury,and treated with 3-MA of 10 mg/kg by abdominal cavity at 1 hour before making model. Histologic changes and the concentration of related inflammatory factors in the damaged lung tissue were examined at 48 h after opteration, at the same time, the effect of 3-MA on the expression of LC-3 II and Beclin-1 was examined through reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with sham group, LC-3 II and Beclin-1 level in control group at 48 h after operation were obviously increased (P < 0.01). Compared with control group, LC-3 II and Beclin-1 level in 3-MA group at 48 h after operation were obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with sham group, the level of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in control group obviously enhanced (P < 0.01). Compared with control group, above items in 3-MA group was obviously lower (P < 0.01). Compared with control group,the histopathological damage of lung in 3-MA group obviously reduced (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAutophagy can aggravate the acute lung injury caused by fracture of shaft of femur combined with brain injuries,but 3-MA can reduce tissue damage by inhibiting the autophagy and inflammatory response.

Acute Lung Injury ; prevention & control ; Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; analysis ; Beclin-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; complications ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which dexmedetomidine alleviates pulmonary edema in rats with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal saline control (NS) group, receiving intravenous 0.9% normal saline (5 mL/kg); LPS group, receiving intravenous LPS (10 mg/kg); small-dose dexmedetomidine (S) group, treated with a small dose of dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1)); medium-dose dexmedetomidine (M) group, treated with a medium dose of dexmedetomidine (2.5 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1)); high-dose dexmedetomidine (H) group, treated with a high dose of dexmedetomidine (5 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1)). The rats were sacrificed 6 h after intravenous injection of LPS or NS, and the lungs were removed for evaluating histological characteristics and determining the lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the lung tissues were assessed by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression levels of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) were detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The lung tissues from the LPS groups were significantly damaged, which were less pronounced in the H group but not in the small-dose dexmedetomidine group or medium-dose dexmedetomidine group. The W/D and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β in the pulmonary tissues were increased in the LPS group as compared with those in NS group, which were reduced in the H group but not in S group or M group (P<0.01). The expression of AQP1 and AQP5 was lower in the LPS group than in the NS group, and significantly increased in the H group but not in the S group or M group (P<0.01). Our findings suggest that dexmedetomidine may alleviate pulmonary edema by increasing the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-5.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; agonists ; genetics ; immunology ; Aquaporin 5 ; agonists ; genetics ; immunology ; Dexmedetomidine ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Injections, Intravenous ; Interleukin-1beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in Th17 cell levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in children of sepsis with acute lung injury and the relationship between the Th17 cell levels and prognosis.

METHODSFifty children of sepsis with acute lung injury were enrolled in the study. The percentages of Th17 cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by flow cytometry. The patients of sepsis with acute lung injury were classified into three groups based on the Pediatric Critical Illness Score (PCIS): extremely critical, critical and non-critical. According to the clinical prognosis, the patients were classified into survical and death groups. Th17 cell levels were compared between the two groups. The relationship between Th17 cell levels and the PCIS scores was analyzed.

RESULTSWith the increase in the severity of sepsis, Th17 cell levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were gradually increased (P<0.05). The Th17 cell levels were negatively correlated to the PCIS scores (r=-0.853; P<0.01). The Th17 cell levels were significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group. Moreover, compared with the survival group, the PCIS scores were lower in the death group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe increased Th17 cell levels in children of sepsis with acute lung injury are closely related to the severity and prognosis of patients, suggesting that Th17 cell levels can be used as a predictor of the severity and prognosis.

Acute Lung Injury ; immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; immunology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Th17 Cells ; physiology

In the present study, we analyzed the role of Ginkgo biloba extract in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS. G. biloba extract (12 and 24 mg·kg(-1)) and dexamethasone (2 mg·kg(-1)), as a positive control, were given by i.p. injection. The cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted. The degree of animal lung edema was evaluated by measuring the wet/dry weight ratio. The superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were assayed by SOD and MPO kits, respectively. The levels of inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin-1b, and interleukin-6, were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by H&E staining. The levels of NF-κB p65 and COX-2 expression were detected by Western blotting. Compared to the LPS group, the treatment with the G. biloba extract at 12 and 24 mg·kg(-1) markedly attenuated the inflammatory cell numbers in the BALF, decreased NF-κB p65 and COX-2 expression, and improved SOD activity, and inhibited MPO activity. The histological changes of the lungs were also significantly improved. The results indicated that G. biloba extract has a protective effect on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice. The protective mechanism of G. biloba extract may be partly attributed to the inhibition of NF-κB p65 and COX-2 activation.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Cell Count ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Edema ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Sangxingtang (SXT) on acute lung injury using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. The cell counting in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed. The degree of lung edema was evaluated by measuring the wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio. The superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were assayed by SOD and MPO kits, respectively. The levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were assayed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The inflammatory signaling pathway-related proteins nuclear factor mitogen activated protein kinases (P38MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (Jnk) and nuclear transcription factor (NF-κB) p65 expressions were measured by Western blotting. Our results showed that the treatment with the SXT markedly attenuated the inflammatory cell numbers in the BALF, decreased the levels of P-P38MAPK, P-Erk, P-Jnk and P-NF-κB p65 and the total protein levels in lungs, improved the SOD activity and inhibited the MPO activity. Histological studies demonstrated that SXT substantially reduced the LPS-induced neutrophils in lung tissues, compared with the untreated LPS group. In conclusion, our results indicated that SXT had protective effects on LPS-induced ALI in mice.
Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology