For example, buformin, a hypoglycemic agent, can drive phosphorylation of AMPK, inhibit downstream NLRP3 inflammasome production, and accelerate autophagy, which, in turn, promotes NLRP3 inflammasome degradation, inducing a therapeutic effect after ALI.190 Emodin, an anthraquinone compound derived from rhubarb, and Polygonum cuspidatum treat AP-associated ALI by regulating macrophages and neutrophils via the targeting of NLRP3 production. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.