Review:Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS): the mechanism,present strategies and future perspectives of therapies

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome （ALI/ARDS）, which manifests as non-cardiogcnic pulmonary edema, respiratory distress and hypoxemia, could be resulted from various processes that directly or indirectly injure the lung. Extensive investigations in experimental models and humans with ALI/ARDS have revealed many molecular mechanisms that offer therapeutic opportunities for cell or gene therapy. Herein the present strategies and future perspectives of the treatment for ALI/ARDS, include the ventilatory, pharmacological, as well as cell therapies.

Ulinastatin for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ulinastatin for patients with acute lung injury(ALI) and those with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).METHODS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of ulinastatin for ALI/ARDS was conducted. Oxygenation index, mortality rate [intensive care unit(ICU) mortality rate, 28-d mortality rate] and length of ICU stay were compared between ulinastatin group and conventional therapy group. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.1.RESULTS: Twenty-nine RCTs with 1726 participants were totally included, the basic conditions of which were similar. No studies discussed adverse effect. Oxygenation index was reported in twenty-six studies(1552 patients). Ulinastatin had a significant effect in improving oxygenation [standard mean difference(SMD) = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.42-2.29, P < 0.00001, I2 = 92%]. ICUmortality and 28-d mortality were respectively reported in eighteen studies(987 patients) and three studies(196 patients). We found that ulinastatin significantly decreased the ICU mortality [I2 = 0%, RR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.38-0.59, number needed to treat(NNT) = 5.06, P < 0.00001], while the 28-d mortality was not significantly affected(I2 = 0%, RR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.51-1.19, NNT = 12.66, P = 0.24). The length of ICU stay(six studies, 364 patients) in the ulinastatin group was significantly lower than that in the control group(SMD =-0.97, 95%CI:-1.20--0.75, P < 0.00001, I2 = 86%). CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin seems to be effective for ALI and ARDS though most trials included were of poor quality and no information on safety was provided.

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome： experimental and clinical investigations

Acute lung injury （ALl） or acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） can be associated with various disorders. Recent investigation has involved clinical studies in collaboration with clinical investigators and pathologists on the pathogenetic mechanisms of ALl or ARDS caused by various disorders. This literature review includes a brief historical retrospective of ALI/ARDS, the neurogenic pulmonary edema due to head injury, the long-term experimental studies and clinical investigations from our laboratory, the detrimental role of NO, the risk factors, and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms as well as therapeutic regimen for ALI/ARDS.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome and lung injury: Pathogenetic mechanism and therapeutic implication

To review possible mechanisms and therapeutics for acute lung injury(ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). ALI/ARDS causes high mortality. The risk factors include head injury, intracranial disorders, sepsis, infections and others. Investigations have indicated the detrimental role of nitric oxide(NO) through the inducible NO synthase(i NOS). The possible therapeutic regimen includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone position, fluid and hemodynamic management and permissive hypercapnic acidosis etc. Other pharmacological treatments are anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial agents, inhalation of NO, glucocorticoids, surfactant therapy and agents facilitating lung water resolution and ion transports. β-adrenergic agonists are able to accelerate lung fluid and ion removal and to stimulate surfactant secretion. In con-scious rats, regular exercise training alleviates the endotoxin-induced ALI. Propofol and N-acetylcysteine exert protective effect on the ALI induced by endotoxin. Insulin possesses anti-inflammatory effect. Pentobarbital is capable of reducing the endotoxin-induced ALI. In addition, nicotinamide or niacinamide abrogates the ALI caused by ischemia/reperfusion or endotoxemia. This review includes historical retrospective of ALI/ARDS, the neurogenic pulmonary edema due to head injury, the detrimental role of NO, the risk factors, and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms as well as therapeutic regimen for ALI/ARDS.

Effects of dynamic ventilatory factors on ventilatorinduced lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome dogs

BACKGROUND： Mechanical ventilation is a double-edged sword to acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） including lung injury, and systemic inflammatory response high tidal volumes are thought to increase mortality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of dynamic ventilatory factors on ventilator induced lung injury in a dog model of ARDS induced by hydrochloric acid instillation under volume controlled ventilation and to investigate the relationship between the dynamic factors and ventilator-induced lung injuries （VILI） and to explore its potential mechanisms.METHODS： Thirty-six healthy dogs were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Subjects in the experimental group were then further divided into four groups by different inspiratory stages of flow. Two mL of alveolar fluid was aspirated for detection of IL-8 and TNF-α. Lung tissue specimens were also extracted for total RNA, IL-8 by western blot and observed under an electronic microscope.RESULTS： IL-8 protein expression was significantly higher in group B than in groups A and D. Although the IL-8 protein expression was decreased in group C compared with group B, the difference was not statistically significant. The TNF-a ray degree of group B was significantly higher than that in the other groups （P〈0.01）, especially in group C （P〉0.05）. The alveolar volume of subjects in group B was significantly smaller, and cavity infiltration and cell autolysis were marked with a significant thicker alveolar septa, disorder of interval structures, and blurring of collagenous and elastic fiber structures. A large number of necrotic debris tissue was observed in group B.CONCLUSION： Mechanical ventilation with a large tidal volume, a high inspiratory flow and a high ventilation frequency can cause significant damage to lung tissue structure. It can significantly increase the expression of TNF-α and IL-8 as well as their mRNA expression. Furthermore, the results of our study showed that small tidal ventilation significantly reduces the release of proinflammatory media. This finding suggests that greater deterioration in lung injury during ARDS is associated with high inspiratory flow and high ventilation rate.

Basic and clinical research progress in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury(ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is an acute progressive respiratory failure caused by severe infection, trauma, shock, poisoning, inhaled harmful gas, acute pancreatitis, and pathological obstetrics. ALI and ARDS demonstrate similar pathophysiological changes. The severe stage of ALI is defined as ARDS. At present, a significant progress has been achieved in the study of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS. Whether or not ALI/ARDS patients can recover depends on the degree of lung injury, extra-pulmonary organ damage, original primary disease of a patient, and adequacy in supportive care. Conservative infusion strategies and protective lung ventilation reduce ARDS disability and mortality. In this study, the pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS, lung injury, molecular mechanisms of lung repair, and conservative infusion strategies and pulmonary protective ventilation are reviewed comprehensively.

Acute lung injury and ARDS in acute pancreatitis: Mechanisms and potential intervention

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in acute pancreatitis still represents a substantial problem,with a mortality rate in the range of 30%-40%.The present review evaluates underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in both ALI and ARDS and potential clinical implications.Several mediators and pathophysiological pathways are involved during the different phases of ALI and ARDS.The initial exudative phase is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage,microvascular injury and influx of inflammatory cells.This phase is followed by a fibro-proliferative phase with lung repair,type Ⅱ pneumocyte hypoplasia and proliferation of fibroblasts.Proteases derived from polymorphonuclear neutrophils,various pro-inflammatory mediators,and phospholipases are all involved,among others.Contributing factors that promote pancreatitis-associated ALI may be found in the gut and mesenteric lymphatics.There is a lack of complete understanding of the underlying mechanisms,and by improving our knowledge,novel tools for prevention and intervention may be developed,thus contributing to improved outcome.

Efficacy of prone position in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: A pathophysiology-based review

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is a syndrome with heterogeneous underlying pathological processes. It represents a common clinical problem in intensive care unit patients and it is characterized by high mortality. The mainstay of treatment for ARDS is lung protective ventilation with low tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure sufficient for alveolar recruitment. Prone positioning is a supplementary strategy available in managing patients with ARDS. It was first described 40 years ago and it proves to be in alignment with two major ARDS pathophysiological lung models; the "sponge lung"- and the "shape matching"-model. Current evidence strongly supports that prone positioning has beneficial effects on gas exchange, respiratory mechanics, lung protection and hemodynamics as it redistributes transpulmonary pressure, stress and strain throughout the lung and unloads the right ventricle. The factors that individually influence the time course of alveolar recruitment and the improvement in oxygenation during prone positioning have not been well characterized. Although patients' response to prone positioning is quite variable and hard to predict, large randomized trials and recent meta-analyses show that prone position in conjunction with a lung-protective strategy, when performed early and in sufficient duration, may improve survival in patients with ARDS. This pathophysiology-based review and recent clinical evidence strongly support the use of prone positioning in the early management of severe ARDS systematically and not as a rescue maneuver or a last-ditch effort.

Intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the early stage of severe acute pancreatitis is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND In the early stage of acute pancreatitis(AP),a large number of cytokines induced by local pancreatic inflammation seriously damage the intestinal barrier function,and intestinal bacteria and endotoxins enter the blood,causing inflammatory storm,resulting in multiple organ failure,infectious complications,and other disorders,eventually leading to death.Intestinal failure occurs early in the course of AP,accelerating its development.As an alternative method to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,the hydrogen breath test is safe,noninvasive,and convenient,reflecting the number of intestinal bacteria in AP indirectly.This study aimed to investigate the changes in intestinal bacteria measured using the hydrogen breath test in the early stage of AP to clarify the relationship between intestinal bacteria and acute lung injury(ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Early clinical intervention and maintenance of intestinal barrier function would be highly beneficial in controlling the development of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).AIM To analyze the relationship between intestinal bacteria change and ALI/ARDS in the early stage of SAP.METHODS A total of 149 patients with AP admitted to the intensive care unit of the Digestive Department,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from 2016 to 2019 were finally enrolled,following compliance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The results of the hydrogen breath test within 1 wk of admission were collected,and the hydrogen production rates at admission,72 h,and 96 h were calculated.The higher the hydrogen production rates the more bacteria in the small intestine.First,according to the improved Marshall scoring system in the 2012 Atlanta Consensus on New Standards for Classification of Acute Pancreatitis,66 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≤1 were included in the mild AP(MAP)group,18 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≥2 and duration<48 h were included in the moderately SAP(MSAP)group,and 65 patients with a PaO2/FiO2 score≥2 and duration>48 h were included in the SAP group,to analyze the correlation between intestinal bacterial overgrowth and organ failure in AP.Second,ALI(PaO2/FiO2=2)and ARDS(PaO2/FiO2>2)were defined according to the simplified diagnostic criteria proposed by the 1994 European Union Conference.The MSAP group was divided into two groups according to the PaO2/FiO2 score:15 patients with PaO2/FiO2 score=2 were included in group A,and three patients with score>2 were included in group B.Similarly,the SAP group was divided into two groups:28 patients with score=2 were included in group C,and 37 patients with score>2 were included in group D,to analyze the correlation between intestinal bacterial overgrowth and ALI/ARDS in AP.RESULTS A total of 149 patients were included:66 patients in the MAP group,of whom 53 patients were male(80.3%)and 13 patients were female(19.7%);18 patients in the MSAP group,of whom 13 patients were male(72.2%)and 5 patients were female(27.8%);65 patients in the SAP group,of whom 48 patients were male(73.8%)and 17 patients were female(26.2%).There was no significant difference in interleukin-6 and procalcitonin among the MAP,MSAP,and SAP groups(P=0.445 and P=0.399,respectively).There was no significant difference in the growth of intestinal bacteria among the MAP,MSAP,and SAP groups(P=0.649).There was no significant difference in the growth of small intestinal bacteria between group A and group B(P=0.353).There was a significant difference in the growth of small intestinal bacteria between group C and group D(P=0.038).CONCLUSION Intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the early stage of SAP is correlated with ARDS.

Changes in intestinal microflora in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome

AIM: To implement high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing to study microbial diversity in the fecal matter of rats with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS).

Intravenous vitamin C as adjunctive therapy for enterovirus/rhinovirus induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

We report a case of virus-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) treated with parenteral vitamin C in a patient testing positive for enterovirus/rhinovirus on viral screening. This report outlines the first use of high dose intravenous vitamin C as an interventional therapy for ARDS, resulting from enterovirus/rhinovirus respiratory infection. From very significant preclinical research performed at Virginia Commonwealth Universitywith vitamin C and with the very positive results of a previously performed phase Ⅰ safety trial infusing high dose vitamin C intravenously into patients with severe sepsis, we reasoned that infusing identical dosing to a patient with ARDS from viral infection would be therapeutic. We report here the case of a 20-year-old, previously healthy, female who contracted respiratory enterovirus/rhinovirus infection that led to acute lung injury and rapidly to ARDS. She contracted the infection in central Italy while on an 8-d spring break from college. During a return flight to the United States, she developed increasing dyspnea and hypoxemia that rapidly developed into acute lung injury that led to ARDS. When support with mechanical ventilation failed, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) was initiated. Twelve hours following ECMO initiation, high dose intravenous vitamin C was begun. The patient's recovery was rapid. ECMO and mechanical ventilation were discontinued by day-7 and the patient recovered with no long-term ARDS sequelae. Infusing high dose intravenous vitamin C into this patient with virus-induced ARDS was associated with rapid resolution of lung injury with no evidence of post-ARDS fibroproliferative sequelae. Intravenous vitamin C as a treatment for ARDS may open a new era of therapy for ARDS from many causes.

Extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis and treatment of acute lung injury

Acute lung injury(ALI)and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)are common life-threatening lung diseases associated with acute and severe inflammation.Both have high mortality rates,and despite decades of research on clinical ALI/ARDS,there are no effective therapeutic strategies.Disruption of alveolar-capillary barrier integrity or activation of inflammatory responses leads to lung inflammation and injury.Recently,studies on the role of extracellular vesicles(EVs)in regulating normal and pathophysiologic cell activities,including inflammation and injury responses,have attracted attention.Injured and dysfunctional cells often secrete EVs into serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with altered cargoes,which can be used to diagnose and predict the development of ALI/ARDS.EVs secreted by mesenchymal stem cells can also attenuate inflammatory reactions associated with cell dysfunction and injury to preserve or restore cell function,and thereby promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration.This review focuses on the roles of EVs in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation,particularly ALI/ARDS.

Effectiveness and safety of Qidong Huoxue decoction(芪冬活血饮)in treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome:a randomized,controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of Qidong Huoxue decoction(芪冬活血饮,QDHX)in treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ALI/ARDS)when used as an adjunctive treatment.METHODS:ALI/ARDS patients admitted to our medical intensive care unit were randomly allocated to the control group or the QDHX group and received standard therapy.The QDHX group received QDHX(50 mL per day for 14 d)orally or via a gastric tube.The primary outcome was measured according to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,with partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen(PaO_(2)/FiO_(2))levels as the secondary outcome.RESULTS:A total of 73 patients completed the study(36 in the TCM and 37 in the conventional group),and their records were analyzed.After 14-d treatment,the TCM group showed a significant decrease in TCM syndrome scores(P<0.05)and increased PaO_(2)/FiO_(2) levels(P<0.05).The therapeutic effect of integrated Chinese and western medicine was more significant than that of Western Medicine alone.No serious side effects were observed.CONCLUSIONS:Our study results show that QDHX in combination with conventional drug therapy can significantly reduce some clinical symptoms in patients with ALI/ARDS.

Mechanisms of pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Endothelial cells(ECs)form a semi-permeable barrier between the interior space of blood vessels and the un-derlying tissues.Pulmonary endothelial barrier integrity is maintained through coordinated cellular processes involving receptors,signaling molecules,junctional complexes,and protein-regulated cytoskeletal reorganiza-tion.In acute lung injury(ALI)or its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),the loss of endothelial barrier integrity secondary to endothelial dysfunction caused by severe pulmonary inflamma-tion and/or infection leads to pulmonary edema and hypoxemia.Pro-inflammatory agonists such as histamine,thrombin,bradykinin,interleukin 1𝛽,tumor necrosis factor𝛼,vascular endothelial growth factor,angiopoietin-2,and platelet-activating factor,as well as bacterial toxins and reactive oxygen species,cause dynamic changes in cytoskeletal structure,adherens junction disorganization,and detachment of vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin)from the actin cytoskeleton,leading to an increase in endothelial permeability.Endothelial interactions with leukocytes,platelets,and coagulation enhance the inflammatory response.Moreover,inflammatory infil-tration and the associated generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines during infection cause EC death,resulting in further compromise of the structural integrity of lung endothelial barrier.Despite the use of potent antibiotics and aggressive intensive care support,the mortality of ALI is still high,because the mechanisms of pulmonary EC barrier disruption are not fully understood.In this review,we summarized recent advances in the studies of endothelial cytoskeletal reorganization,inter-endothelial junctions,endothelial inflammation,EC death,and endothelial repair in ALI and ARDS,intending to shed some light on the potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the clinical management of the disease.

Protective effect of Renqing Changjue on acute respiratory distress syndrome in rabbits

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether Renqing Changjue has a protective effect on acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in rabbits.METHODS Thirty-six healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into six groups:normal control group,model group,dexamethasone group,Renqing Changjue high,middle and low dose group,with six rabbits in each group.LPS was used to replicate the ARDS model after five consecutive days of gavage.Arterial pressure,respiratory rate and anal temperature blood were recorded for arterial blood gas analysis at 0,0.5,1,2 and 4 h,respectively.At the end of the four-hour experiment,rabbits were killed by bloodletting,and the lung tissue was quickly removed to determine the cytokines,SOD,MDA and pathological examination of rabbit lung.RESULTS Renqing Changjue can significantly reduce the pathological changes of lung in ARDS model group.The expression of AQP1 and MPO in rabbit lung was significantly decreased by immunohistochemistry(P<0.05),reduce the lung wet/dry weight ratio,increase the ratio of PaO_(2)/FiO_(2),inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and scavenge free radicals and antioxidant effects.CONCLUSION Renqing Changjue can effectively protect rabbits with acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by LPS,and may protect the lung by inhibiting the release of cytokines and anti-oxidation.

Reducing acute respiratory distress syndrome occurrence using mechanical ventilation

The standard treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is supportive in the form of low tidal volume ventilation applied after significant lung injury has already developed. Nevertheless, ARDS mortality remains unacceptably high(> 40%). Indeed, once ARDS is established it becomes refractory to treatment, and therefore avoidance is key. However, preventive techniques and therapeutics to reduce the incidence of ARDS in patients at high-risk have not been validated clinically. This review discusses the current data suggesting that preemptive application of the properly adjusted mechanical breath can block progressive acute lung injury and significantly reduce the occurrence of ARDS.

Causes of failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome modeling and treatment in animal research and new approaches

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is a major cause of morbidity, death and cost in intensive careunits. Despite intensive research, pharmacotherapy has not passed the experimental stage and mortality rates are still high. Animal models provide a bridge between patients and the laboratory bench. Different animal models have been developed in order to mimic human ARDS, but they have limitations. The purpose of this review was to summarize the properties of the most commonly used experimental animal models mimicking the causes and pathology of human ARDS, the limitations of ARDS models, treatment failure and new therapeutic approaches.

Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Based on the modern pathological research mechanism of ARDS,this paper summarizes the clinical therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on ARDS from the aspects of reducing inflammatory mediators,cells and factors,regulating signal pathway,regulating aquaporin,anticoagulation and so on.The purpose is to provide new theoretical basis and ideas for scholars in the future,and to improve the internationalization process of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

血清AGEs水平联合LIS对老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者预后的评估价值

目的探究老年脓毒症相关性急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ALI/ARDS)患者肺损伤评分(LIS)及晚期糖基化终末产物(AGEs)水平对预后的评估价值。方法选择重庆医科大学附属第一医院第一分院于2019年3月至2021年4月收治的98例老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者作为研究组,根据患者入院后30 d内的生存情况将患者分为存活组(55例)和死亡组(43例),另选取51例重庆医科大学附属第一医院第一分院同期收治的非ALI/ARDS脓毒症老年患者作为对照组。患者入院后,记录患者临床资料,检测患者血肌酐、肌钙蛋白Ⅰ、B型脑肽钠(BNP)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)水平。采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定患者血清中AGEs水平。采用LIS量表计算LIS得分。以患者临床因素作为自变量,患者预后结局作为因变量,采用Logistic回归曲线对老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者死亡因素进行多因素分析。结果死亡组、存活组、对照组AGEs水平、LIS得分、急性生理学和慢性健康状况评价Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分依次降低(均P<0.05)。死亡组动脉血乳酸、血糖、肌钙蛋白Ⅰ、PCT、BNP、CRP水平均高于存活组和对照组(P<0.05)。结果显示,动脉血乳酸、血糖、肌钙蛋白Ⅰ、PCT、BNP、CRP、AGEs、APACHEⅡ评分、LIS得分均是老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者死亡的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。LIS得分预测老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者预后的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.857(95%CI:0.821~0.911),血清AGEs的AUC为0.861(95%CI:0.809~0.908),LIS得分和AGEs水平对老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者预后均具有一定的预测价值。结论老年脓毒症相关性ALI/ARDS患者LIS得分及AGEs水平均是患者死亡的独立危险因素,对预后有重要的预测价值。

Mechanisms and Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating NF-κB in the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute lung injury(ALI)has multiple causes and can easily progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)if not properly treated.Nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)is a key pathway in the treatment of ALI/ARDS.By exploring the relevance of NF-κB and the pathogenesis of this disease,it was found that this disease was mainly associated with inflammation,dysfunction of the endothelial barrier,oxidative stress,impaired clearance of alveolar fluid,and coagulation disorders.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the characteristics of multitargeting,multipathway effects,and high safety,which can directly or indirectly affect the treatment of ALI/ARDS.This article summarizes the mechanism and treatment strategies of TCM in recent years through intervention in the NF-κB-related signaling pathways for treating ALI/ARDS.It provides an overview from the perspectives of Chinese herbal monomers,TCM couplet medicines,TCM injections,Chinese herbal compounds,and Chinese herbal preparations,offering insights into the prevention and treatment of ALI/ARDS with TCM.