Traditional Chinese medicine puerarin could prevent lung and cerebrum injury of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia through its anti-inflammatory effects.

Aquaporin (AQP) has been found to increase under the condition of hypoxia and its regulation might be correlated with the release of inflammatory cytokines. The expression of AQP and NF-κB signaling pathway in lung and cerebrum ameliorates in puerarin preventative group.

AQPs and NF-κB signaling pathway may provide potential useful targets for the prevention or treatment of acute lung and cerebrum injury at high altitude.