Effect Of Xiaofenghuoxue Decotion On Allergic Airway Inflammation In Allergen-induced Bronchial Asthma Guinea Pigs

Objective To investigate the effect of Xiaofenghuoxue decotion (XFHX) on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in asthma guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin.Methods The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups: the normal control group, the asthma group, the XFHX high dose group, the XFHX low dose group and the Budesonide group. 2 weeks after sensitization with a mixture of 10% OVA and 10% Al(OH)3, the drugs were given to the animals for 7 days, and then the animals were challenged with aerosol of 1% ovalbumin, the latency time for the onset of respiratory abnormalities was examined, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected within 16 h. Eosinocyte(EOS) in BALF were counted. The level of IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF and SIL-2R in BALF were determined by EILSA. Results EOS infiltration in both XFHX high dose group and low dose group significantly decreased compared with the asthma group. The level of IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSFi?n both XFHX high dose group and low dose group significantly increased compared with the asthma group, the level of SIL-2R i?n both XFHX high dose group and low dose group also significantly decreased compared with the asthma group. Conclusion These results show that Xiaofenghuoxue decotion inhibited airway infiltration of EOS in allergen-induced asthma guinea pigs, which is associated with down-regulation of IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF and SIL-2R. Leukocyte in BALF was counted. The level of IFN- p?roduced by Th1 cells and IL-4 and IL-5 produced by Th2 cells were determined by EILSA. NO contents were also examined.Results: EOS and leucocyte in both XFHX high dose group [13 g?kg-1] and low dose group [6.5 g?kg-1] significantly decreased compared with the asthma group (P<0.05 ) . At the same time, the level of IL-3,GM-CSF,SIL-2R ?in both XFHX high dose group and low dose group significantly decreased compared with the asthma group (P<0.05 ). Total bronchial wall area and smooth muscle area decreased in both XFHX high dose group and low dose group (P<0.01 ) . The level of IL-4 ,IL-5 and the production of NO significantly decreased, but The level of IFN-γ?in both XFHX high dose group and low dose group significantly increased compared with the asthma group (P<0.05 ).Conclusion: These results suggest that the effect of Xiaofenghuoxue decotion (XFHX) on allergic airway inflammation is to decrease EOS and leucocyte and relieve allergic airway inflammation. Inhibiting airway inflammation is associated with the decreasing IL-3, GM-CSF and SIL-2R. Meanwhile the down-regulation of IL-4, IL-5, NO and up-regulation of IFN-γc?an reversal of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in allergen-induced asthma guinea pigs. By such mechanisms, we can control the development of airway inflammation.