Protective effect of rutin on LPS-induced acute lung injury via down-regulation of MIP-2 expression and MMP-9 activation through inhibition of Akt phosphorylation

•Rutin inhibited the changes of arterial blood gas in LPS-induced ALI.•Rutin inhibited LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration and lung edema•Rutin inhibited LPS-induced MIP-2 generation.•Rutin inhibited LPS-induced MMP-9 activation.•Rutin inhibited LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), also called endotoxin, is the important pathogen of acute lung injury (ALI), which is a clinical syndrome that still lacks effective therapeutic medicine. Rutin belongs to vitamin P and possesses various beneficial effects. In this study, we investigate the potential protective effects and the mechanisms of rutin on LPS-induced ALI. Pre-administration with rutin inhibited LPS-induced arterial blood gas exchange and neutrophils infiltration in the lungs. LPS-induced expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were suppressed by rutin. In addition, the inhibitory concentration of rutin on phosphorylation of Akt was similar as MIP-2 expression and MMP-9 activation. In conclusion, rutin is a potential protective agent for ALI via suppressing the blood gas exchange and neutrophil infiltration. The mechanism of rutin is down-regulation of MIP-2 expression and MMP-9 activation through inhibition of Akt phosphorylation.