Abstract: Objective To investigate the protective effect of rutin against acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS-induced acute lung injury model group and
treatment (LPS+Rutin) group. The pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed microscopically on paraffin sections
with HE staining, and the lung wet/dry weight ratio was measured. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar
lavage fluid (BALF) were measured with ELISA, and the expressions of α-ENaC were detected with RT-PCR and Western
blotting. Results Pathological examination of the lung tissue revealed distinct inflammation, congestion and edema in the
model group. The mice in the treatment group showed significantly milder lung injuries than those in the model group.
Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased lung wet/dry ratio and contents of TNF-α
and IL-1β in BALF but lowered expressions of α-ENaC mRNA and protein. Compared with the model group, rutin treatment
significantly decreased the lung wet/dry ratio and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the BALF and increased the expressions of
α-ENaC mRNA and protein. Conclusion Rutin can inhibit the pulmonary inflammation and increase the expression of
alveolar epithelial sodium channel protein to alleviate LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice.