Ameliorative effect of pedunculoside on sepsis-induced acute lung injury, inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in mice model via suppressing AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Background/objectives: Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is the typical complications of sepsis with a high global incidence and mortality. Inhibition of inflammatory response is a crucial and effective strategy for sepsis-induced ALI. Pedunculoside (PE) has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on various diseases. However, the effect and mechanism of PE on sepsis-induced ALI remain unknown.

Materials/methods: A mice model of sepsis-induced ALI was constructed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The effect of PE on the CLP-induced mice were assessed using pathological staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL), reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot assays.

Results: PE reduced pathological symptoms and scores, apoptosis and the W/D ratio of lung tissues in CLP-induced mice. Besides, PE decreased the level of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), pulmonary fibrosis and the expression of fibrosis markers. Mechanically, PE inhibited AKT/NF-κB signaling in CLP-induced mice. Activation of AKT/NF-κB pathway abolished the ameliorative effect of PE on the pathological symptoms, the release of inflammatory factors and pulmonary fibrosis of CLP-induced mice.

Conclusion: PE improved inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting AKT/NF-κB pathway in CLP-induced mice.