title: Suppression of lung inflammation in an LPS-induced acute lung injury model by the fruit hull of Gleditsia sinensis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fruit hull of Gleditsia sinensis (FGS) used in traditional Asian medicine was reported to have a preventive effect on lung inflammation in an acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. Here, we explored FGS as a possible therapeutics against inflammatory lung diseases including ALI, and examined an underlying mechanism for the effect of FGS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The decoction of FGS in water was prepared and fingerprinted. Mice received an intra-tracheal (i.t.) FGS 2 h after an intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The effect of FGS on lung inflammation was determined by chest imaging of NF-κB reporter mice, counting inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, analyzing lung histology, and performing semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of lung tissue. Impact of Nrf2 on FGS effect was assessed by comparing Nrf2 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice that were treated similarly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bioluminescence from the chest of the reporter mice was progressively increased to a peak at 16 h after an i.p. LPS treatment. FGS treatment 2 h after LPS reduced the bioluminescence and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in the lung. While suppressing the infiltration of inflammatory cells to the lungs of WT mice, FGS post-treatment failed to reduce lung inflammation in Nrf2 KO mice. FGS activated Nrf2 and induced Nrf2-dependent gene expression in mouse lung.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FGS post-treatment suppressed lung inflammation in an LPS-induced ALI mouse model, which was mediated at least in part by Nrf2. Our results suggest a therapeutic potential of FGS on inflammatory lung diseases.
authors.forename: Kyun Ha
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kwun
authors.forename: Chang Woo
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Ki-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Republic of Korea. kmd@pusan.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jun-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Myungsoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joo
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D031501:Gleditsia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D016328:NF-kappa B; C495636:Nfe2l2 protein, mouse; D010936:Plant Extracts