title: Usnic acid protects LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice through attenuating inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.
abstract: Usnic acid is a dibenzofuran derivative found in several lichen species, which has been shown to possess several activities, including antiviral, antibiotic, antitumoral, antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there were few reports on the effects of usnic acid on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The aim of our study was to explore the effect and possible mechanism of usnic acid on LPS-induced lung injury. In the present study, we found that pretreatment with usnic acid significantly improved survival rate, pulmonary edema. In the meantime, protein content and the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) significantly decreased, and the levels of MPO, MDA, and H2O2 in lung tissue were markedly suppressed after treatment with usnic acid. Meanwhile, the activities of SOD and GSH in lung tissue significantly increased after treatment with usnic acid. Additionally, to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of usnic acid, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in BALF were studied. The results in the present study indicated that usnic acid attenuated the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and MIP-2. Meanwhile, the improved level of IL-10 in BALF was observed. In conclusion, these data showed that the protective effect of usnic acid on LPS-induced ALI in mice might relate to the suppression of excessive inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in lung tissue. Thus, it was suggested that usnic acid might be a potential therapeutic agent for ALI.
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Zu-Qing
authors: ZQ
authors: Su
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Zhi-Zhun
authors: ZZ
authors: Mo
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; GuangDong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, no.60, Hengfu Road, Guangzhou 510095, PR China.
authors: Jin-Bin
authors: JB
authors: Liao
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Xue-Xuan
authors: XX
authors: Feng
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Yong-Zhuo
authors: YZ
authors: Liang
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Xie
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Yu-Hong
authors: YH
authors: Liu
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
authors: Xiao-Ying
authors: XY
authors: Chen
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Dongguan Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Songshan Lake High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, PR China.
authors: Zhi-Wei
authors: ZW
authors: Chen
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Dongguan Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Songshan Lake High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, PR China. Electronic address: suziren@gzucm.edu.cn.
authors: Zi-Ren
authors: ZR
authors: Su
authors: School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, no. 232, Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Dongguan Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Songshan Lake High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, PR China. Electronic address: lxp88@gzucm.edu.cn.
authors: Xiao-Ping
authors: XP
authors: Lai
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001572:Benzofurans; D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C073339:usnic acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Acute lung injury (ALI); Anti-inflammation; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Oxidative stress; Usnic acid (UA)