Heat-ProcessedScutellariaeRadix Enhances Anti-Inflammatory Effect against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice via NF-κB Signaling

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine whether heat-processedScutellariaeRadix has an ameliorative effect on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury in mice. The effects ofScutellariaeRadix heat-processed at 160°C (HSR) were compared with those of nonheat-processedScutellariaeRadix (NSR). The LPS-treated group displayed a markedly decreased body weight and significantly increased lung weight; however, the administration of NSR or HSR improved both the body and lung weights. The increased oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker levels in the serum and lung were reduced significantly with HSR. The reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase increased significantly by both NSR and HSR. Also, the dysregulated oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly ameliorated by NSR and HSR. The expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines by nuclear factor-kappa B activation was modulated through inhibition of a nuclear factor kappa Bαdegradation. Also, lung histological change was markedly suppressed by HSR rather than NSR. Overall, the ameliorative effects of HSR were superior to those when being nonheat-processed. The representative flavonoid contents ofScutellariaeRadix that include baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin were greater by heat process. These data reveal heat-processedScutellariaeRadix may be a critical factor involved in the improvement of lung disorders caused by LPS.