Diosmetin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury through Activating the Nrf2 Pathway and Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical syndrome of diffuse lung inflammation with high mortality rates and limited therapeutic methods. Diosmetin, an active component from Chinese herbs, has long been noticed because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI model and unveil the possible mechanisms. Our results revealed that pretreatment with diosmetin effectively alleviated lung histopathological changes, which were further evaluated by lung injury scores. Diosmetin also decreased lung wet/dry ratios, as well as total protein levels, inflammatory cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine (eg. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) overproduction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, increased MPO, MDA and ROS levels induced by LPS were also markly suppressed by diosmetin. Furthermore, diosmetin significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 along with its target gene HO-1 and blocked the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the lung tissues, which might be central to the protective effects of diosmetin. Further supporting these results, in vitro experiments also showed that diosmetin activated Nrf2 and HO-1, as well as inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome in both RAW264.7 and A549 cells. The present study highlights the protective effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI via activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, bringing up the hope of its application as a therapeutic drug towards LPS-induced ALI.

Clinical Observation of Daily Vesiculating Moxibustion Combined with Cluster Immunotherapy for Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To explore a more effective way to enhance the clinical efficacy of cluster immunotherapy for perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods A total of 60 perennial allergic rhinitis patients were evenly randomized into treatment goup and control group. The two groups were given cluster immunotherapy, and the treatment group was given daily vesiculating moxibustion additionally . Before and after treatment, the scores of traditional Chinese medical constitution and the rhinitis quality of life ( QOL) were observed, and one year after treatment, the therapeutic effect and safety were evaluated. Results ( 1) One year after treatment, the treatment group showed better total clinical efficiency than the control group ( 96.67% vs 80.00%, P0.05). ( 4) Two cases had grade 1 general adverse reaction and 5 cases had local adverse reaction during cluster immunotherapy. During vesiculating moxibustion, 3 cases had blistering and the blistering disappeared after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion Daily vesiculating moxibustion combined with cluster immunity therapy is effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, showing good effect on improving Qi deficiency constitution, yang deficiency constitution and special constitution as well as the quality of life of the patients.