Artesunate Protects LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting TLR4 Expression and Inducing Nrf2 Activation

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of artesunate on LPS-induced lung injury in mice. The mice were treated with artesunate 1  h before or after LPS treatment. The effects of artesunate on lung MPO activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were detected. The lung wet/dry radio and the numbers of inflammatory cells in BALF were also measured. ELISA was used to evaluate the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in BALF. Weste rn blot analysis was adapted to detect TLR4 and Nrf2 signaling pathways. The results showed that artesunate protected against LPS-induced ALI by decreasing the numbers of inflammatory cells, lung edema, MPO activity, and MDA content. Furthermore, artesunate significantly inhibited the levels of TNF- α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Artesunate also inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production in the A549 cells. In addition, artesunate dose-dependently suppressed LPS-induced TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were also up-regulated by artesunate. The data suggest that a rtesunate possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties against LPS-induced ALIvia inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway and activating Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Source: Inflammation - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research