The results of studies show that the combination of emodin and pseudoephedrine to activate the VIP/cAMP/PKA signal pathway can inhibit NF-κB and the MAPK signal pathway in ALI induced by LPS, inhibit the polarization of M1 macrophages, promote the polarization of M2 macrophages, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ALI/ARDS [80]. This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.