Protective effects of edaravone combined puerarin on inhalation lung injury induced by black gunpowder smog

• Combination of puerarin and edaeavone may become new treatment option for ALI/ARDS patients.
• Edaravone not only used clinically to treat acute infarction but also have protective effects in smog-induced lung injury.
• Puerarin not only used clinically to treat cardiovascular but also have protective effects in smog-induced lung injury.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate the combined effects of puerarin with edaravone on inhalation lung injury induced by black gunpowder smog.Materials and methodsMale Wistar rats were divided into five groups (control group, edaravone group, puerarin group, edaravone combined with puerarin group and inhalation group). The severity of pulmonary injuries was evaluated after inducing acute lung injury. Arterial blood gas, inflammatory cytokines, biochemical, parameters, cell counting, W/D weight ratio and histopathology were analyzed. Results in lung tissues, either edaravone or puerarin treatment alone showed significant protective effects against neutrophil infiltration and tissue injury, as demonstrated by myeloperoxidase activity and histopathological analysis (all p < 0.05). In addition, combined treatment with both edaravone and puerarin demonstrated additive protective effects on smog-induced lung injury, compared with single treatment.ConclusionsCombination of edaravone and puerarin shows promise as a new treatment option for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.