Protective effect of taraxasterol on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Taraxasterol, a pentacyclic-triterpene isolated from Taraxacum officinale, has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of taraxasterol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mice acute lung injury has not been investigated. The aims of this study were to investigate whether taraxasterol could ameliorate the inflammation response in LPS-induced acute lung injury and to clarify the possible mechanism. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with taraxasterol 1h before intranasal instillation of LPS. 7h after LPS administration, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues, lung wet/dry ratio and inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the BALF were measured by ELISA. The extent of phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB, p46-p54 JNK, p42-p44 ERK, and p38 were determined by western blotting. The results showed that taraxasterol attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells, the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lung wet/dry ratio, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, western blotting results showed that taraxasterol inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB, p46-p54 JNK, p42-p44 ERK, and p38 caused by LPS. Our data suggest that anti-inflammatory effects of taraxasterol against the LPS-induced ALI may be due to its ability of inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

San Z ，Fu Y ，Li W ，Zhou E ，Li Y ，Song X ，Wang T ，Tian Y ，Wei Z ，Yao M ，Cao Y ，Zhang N ... -  《-》

Total flavonoids of Mosla scabra leaves attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via down-regulation of inflammatory signaling in mice.

Mosla scabra (Thunb.) C.Y. Wu, belonging to the Labiatae family, is a tomentose and aromatic plant, which is widely used as an antipyretic and antiviral drug for pulmonary diseases and famous for its efficiency in treating colds, fever, pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. To investigate therapeutic effects and possible mechanism of Mosla scabra flavonoids (MF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Mice were orally administrated with MF once (30 mg/kg or 90 mg/kg) 1 h before LPS challenge. Lung specimens and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were isolated for histopathological examinations and biochemical analyses 6 h after LPS challenge. Pretreatment with MF could decrease significantly lung wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio, lower myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and total protein concentrations in the BALF, reduce serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in ALI model. Additionally, MF attenuated lung histopathological changes and significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and translocation of NF-κB p65. These results showed MF significantly attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury and production of inflammatory mediators via inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB activation, indicating it as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI.

Chen J ，Wang JB ，Yu CH ，Chen LQ ，Xu P ，Yu WY ... -  《-》

Protective effect of cryptotanshinone on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Crytotanshinone (CTN), one of the main constituents of tanshinones, has been reported to exhibit anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and other important therapeutic activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of CTN on murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with dexamethasone or CTN 1h before intranasal instillation of LPS. Seven hours after LPS administration, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues, lung wet/dry weight ratio and inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The effects of CTN on pro-inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. The results showed that CTN significantly inhibited LPS induced increases of macrophages and neutrophils infiltration of lung tissues, as well as markedly attenuated MPO activity. Furthermore, CTN significantly reduced the wet/dry weight ratio of lungs and the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in BALF. Compared with LPS group, lung histopathologic changes were less pronounced in the CTN pretreated mice. Additionally, western blotting showed that CTN efficiently inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α, p65 NF-κB and the expression of TLR4. Taken together, our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of CTN against LPS-induced acute lung injury may be due to its ability to inhibit TLR4 mediated NF-κB signaling pathways. CTN may be a promising potential therapeutic reagent for ALI treatment.

Tang Y ，Chen Y ，Chu Z ，Yan B ，Xu L ... -  《-》

Protective effect of veratric acid on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Veratric acid, a simple benzoic acid derived from plants and fruits, has been reported to exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other important therapeutic activities. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of veratric acid on LPS-induced acute lung injury and to investigate the effects of veratric acid on NF-κB signaling pathway. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with dexamethasone or veratric acid 1h before intranasal instillation of LPS. 7h after LPS administration, the myeloperoxidase in lung tissues, lung wet/dry weight ratio and inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The effects of veratric acid on pro-inflammatory cytokines and signal pathways were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. The results showed that veratric acid inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production in a dose dependent manner. It was also observed that veratric acid attenuated lung histopathologic changes. The wet/dry weight ratio of lungs and the number of total cells, neutrophils, macrophages in the BALF were all decreased. Furthermore, veratric acid inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and IκB. These results indicate that veratric acid inhibits NF-κB signaling pathways to attenuate inflammatory injury induced by LPS. Veratric acid may be a potential therapeutic reagent for acute lung injury treatment.

Ran X ，Chao S ，Jun-Gang Z ，Yun H ，Kuan-Bing C ，Wen-Jun S ... -  《-》

Protective effect of gossypol on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Liu Z ，Yang Z ，Fu Y ，Li F ，Liang D ，Zhou E ，Song X ，Zhang W ，Zhang X ，Cao Y ，Zhang N ... -  《-》