Effect of Maxing Shigan Tang on H1N1 Influenza A Virus-Associated Acute Lung Injury in Mice

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study is aimed at examining the effects of Maxing Shigan Tang (MST) treatment on H1N1-associated acute lung injury (ALI) and exploring the possible mechanism. <b><i>Material and Methods:</i></b> Mice were randomly divided into a control group, model group, peroxisomal proliferator activator receptor &#x03B3; (PPAR&#x03B3;) inhibition group (PPAR&#x03B3;-), PPAR&#x03B3; activation group (PPAR&#x03B3;+), and MST group. Influenza A (H1N1) virus of the Fort Monmouth 1 (FM1) strain was used to induce an ALI mice model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to investigate the effect of MST treatment on H1N1-associated ALI. Cell apoptosis of lung tissues of each group were conducted through transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling methods. Moreover, the expression level of caspase 3, activity of caspase 3, and serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α of each group were also analyzed. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were carried out to detect angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) expression level. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found that mice infected with the FM1 strain of H1N1 influenza A virus developed severe ALI, and MST could improve H1N1-induced ALI. Moreover, MST decreased lung cell apoptosis and reduced the serum content of TNF-α. In addition, MST significantly induced the ANGPTL4 expression in H1N1-induced ALI. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> MST improves H1N1-associated ALI maybe through targeting ANGPTL4 in mice.