Preclinical evidence using synthetic compounds and natural products indicates that AMPK represents a potential pharmacological target for the therapy of pulmonary diseases.

Abstract

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved eukaryotic enzyme discovered as a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, with anti-inflammation, antioxidative stress, anticancer, and antifibrosis beneficial effects. AMPK is dysregulated in human pulmonary diseases such as acute lung injury, nonsmall cell lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. This review provides an overview of the beneficial role of natural, synthetic, and Chinese traditional medicines AMPK modulators in pulmonary diseases, and highlights the role of the AMPK signaling pathway in the lung, emphasizing the importance of finding lead compounds and drugs that can target and modulate AMPK to treat the lung diseases.