Emodin can down-regulate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor genes by inhibiting the mammalian target of the rapamycin signal pathway, thus inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in macrophages and lung tissue induced by LPS, and can improve the inflammatory response in ALI/ARDS [83]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.