Effects of panax notoginseng saponins on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B and interleukin-1β in lung tissue of paraquat poisoned rats

Objective To investigate the effect of panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)on the paraquat poisoned lung injury and its mechanism.Methods Total of 150 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control(C) group(30 rats),PQ group(70 rats) and PNS group(70 rats).The PQ and PNS groups were given paraquat by gastric perfusion(25 mg/kg);The C group was given saline by gastric perfusion.The PNS group was protected by intravenous injections of penis with PNS(50 mg/kg)15 mins before exposure of paraquat,once a day until killed.The PQ and C groups were given saline.Histological changes of lung tissues were observed at different time of 6 h,12 h,1 d,3 d and 7 d after poisoned.The level of IL-1β in serum,the expression of NF-κB P65 in PMN of BALF and the ratio of PMN apoptosis were detected.Results The lung tissue structure of C group was basically integrate,and which of the PQ group showed more infiltration of inflammatory cells and serious injury,the injury of the PNS group was slighter.The level of IL-1β and NF-κB p65 in PQ group were significantly higher than those in C roup and lower than those in PNS group(all P0.01).The ratio of PMN apoptosis at 2 d in PQ group was lower than those in C group and PNS group(all P0.05).Conclusions PNS may alleviate lung injury in acute paraquat poisoned rats by inhibiting the expression of IL-1β and NF-κB P65.