Protective Effects of Apigenin Against Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Inflammation. 2016 Apr;39(2):752-8. doi: 10.1007/s10753-015-0302-2.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of apigenin against paraquat (PQ)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (PQ), group 3 (PQ + apigenin 25 mg/kg), group 4 (PQ + apigenin 50 mg/kg), and group 5 (PQ + apigenin 100 mg/kg). The PQ + apigenin group received apigenin by gavage daily for consecutive 7 days, respectively, while the mice in control and PQ groups were given an equivalent volume of saline. We detected the lung wet/dry weight ratios and the histopathology of the lung. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was also determined. The results indicated that apigenin administration decreased biochemical parameters of inflammation and oxidative stress, and improved oxygenation and lung edema in a dose-dependent manner. These protective effects of apigenin were associated with inhibition of NF-κB. In conclusion, apigenin reduces PQ-induced ALI by inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Keywords: acute lung injury; apigenin; inflammation; oxidative stress; paraquat.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Lung Injury / drug therapy
  • Acute Lung Injury / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Apigenin / therapeutic use*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Paraquat / toxicity*
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Apigenin
  • Peroxidase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Paraquat