18?-Glycyrrhetinic acid monoglucuronide (GAMG) alleviates single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice through PI3K/AKT/NF-?B signaling pathway

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become far and wide used in a number of technical and merchant applications as a result of substantial advances in nanotechnology, therein single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are one of the most promising nanoparticles. Inhaling CNTs has been linked to a variety of health problems, including lung fibrosis. Glycyrrhetinic acid 3-O-mono-beta-D-glucuronide (GAMG), a natural sweetener, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential for GAMG to alleviate SWCNT-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. During days 3-28 after SWCNT intratracheal administration, we observed a remarkable increase of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) on day 3 and collagen deposition on day 28. GAMG treatment remarkably ameliorated SWCNT-induced pulmonary fibrosis and attenuated SWCNT-induced inflammation and collagen deposition, and suppressed the activation of PI3K/ AKT/NF-kappa B signaling pathway in the lungs. Therefore, GAMG has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of SWCNT-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Targeting PI3K/AKT/NF-kappa B signaling pathway may be a potential thera-peutic approach to treat pulmonary fibrosis in mice with SWCNT.

Automated summary

Carbon nanotubes are widely used in various applications, but inhalation can lead to health problems. Research shows that Glycyrrhetinic acid 3-O-mono-beta-D-glucuronide (GAMG) can alleviate lung inflammation and fibrosis induced by carbon nanotubes, making it a potential therapeutic option.