Objective   To investigate the effect of ginkgolide B (BN52021) on the NF-κB expression in pulmonary tissue of mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury.    Methods   Fifty Kunming mice were divided into 2 groups at random: LPS group (L group) and BN52021 pretreated group (B group)

and then each group was subsequently divided into 5 subgroups according to different time point (0

1

3

9 and 12 h). The mice from corresponding groups received an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline or 20 mg/kg BN52021 followed by an injection of 15 mg/kg LPS 5 min later. The mice were sacrificed in 0

1

3

9 and 12 h after LPS injection. The wet/dry ratio (W/D) was recorded for pulmonary function and the pathological changes of lung tissues stained by HE were examined by light microscopy. The expression of NF-κB p65 was detected by Western blotting

and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined by ELISA.     Results   The significant increase of W/D was found after LPS injection in L group

which indicated the existence of pulmonary edema; while the W/D in B group was lower (P0.05 or P0.01). The pathological changes of inflammation

such as pulmonary hemorrhage and the inflammatory cells infiltration

were obvious in 2 groups

but that was better in B group. Moreover

the expression of NF-κB p65 displayed double peak at 1 h and 9 h in L group

while there was only one at 9 h in B group. What’s more

the value in B group decreased in comparison with L group (P0.05) except for the value at 9 h. At last

the level of TNF-α in B group was lower than in L group

but there was no difference of IL-10 between 2 groups.    Conclusion   BN52021 can induce the inflammation of acute lung injury induced by LPS via inhibiting the early activation of NF-κB.