Effect of Madecassic Acid on the Serum Oxidative Stress Markers in LPS-Induced Lung Injury

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a severe condition marked by respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, with oxidative stress playing a key role in its pathophysiology. In LPS-induced ALI, the disruption between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense results in inflammation, cell death, and injury to the alveolar-capillary barrier. This study investigates the impact of madecassic acid (MSA) on serum oxidative stress in LPS-induced lung injury. In this study, LPS-induced lung injury significantly decreased serum enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and non-enzymatic reduced glutathione (GSH) antioxidant activities while elevating serum nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Pretreatment with madecassic acid (MSA) in LPS-injured mice restored antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced MDA levels, suggesting its protective effects against oxidative stress. These findings indicate that MSA may protect lung injury in LPS-induced lung injury by inhibiting ROS production and enhancing antioxidant defenses. The results support the potential of MSA as a therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-mediated lung damage.