Dachengqi decoction alleviates acute lung injury and inhibits inflammatory cytokines production through TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Abstract Background and Objectives Sepsis that arises from uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation could induce acute lung injury (ALI), leading to the high death rate. Dachengqi decoction (DCQD) is a common traditional Chinese herbal medicine with strong anti‐inflammatory effects. The current study aimed to explore the effect of DCQD on the inflammatory cytokines production, the aquaporin‐1 (AQP‐1) and AQP‐5 protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI models, and the potential mechanisms underlying its effects. Methods Sprague‐Dawley rats and HULEC‐5a cells were used as study models in the research. To detect related molecules in the study, the real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis, cell counting kit‐8 assay, Western blot analysis, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed. Results DCQD could inhibit the expression of LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), in lung tissues and could reduce pulmonary edema by upregulating the expression of AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 in rats with LPS‐induced ALI. Moreover, the results suggested that the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF‐κB signaling is indispensable for DCQD to increase the expression of AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 and inhibits the production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α in LPS‐induced HULEC‐5a cells. Conclusion The results of our study suggested that DCQD suppresses the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway, increases the protein expression of AQP‐1 and AQP‐5, and inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines, by which it may alleviate the inflammatory reactions in ALI and benefit the treatments.