Polygala tenuifolia willd. Extract alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats via TLR4/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome suppression

Acute lung injury (ALI) has received considerable attention in the field of critical care as it can lead to high mortality rates. Polygala tenuifolia, a traditional Chinese medicine with strong expectorant properties, can be used to treat pneumonia. Owing to the complexity of its composition, the main active ingredient is not yet known. Thus, there is a need to identify its constituent compounds and mechanism of action in the treatment of ALI using advanced technological means.