Objective:

2

To explore the effect of Da Chengqitang on the lung index

lung index inhibition rate

lung histological morphology

classification changes of inflammatory cells and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signal pathway in mice with allergic asthma.

Method:

2

Forty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

dexamethasone group (0.005 g·kg

-1

) and Da Chengqitang group (19 g·kg

-1

). Murine allergic asthma model was established by sensitization and nebulization of ovalbumin (OVA). In brief

asthmatic mice were first sensitized by OVA and Al(OH)

3

mixture ip on day 0 and day 14

and then nebulized by OVA from day 21 to 27.At the same time

each mouse in the dexamethasone and Da Chengqitang groups were intragastrically administered with 0.2 mL corresponding medicine one hour before the nebulization challenge

while the normal control group was given with the same amount of normal saline. On day 28

pulmonary morphology was detected by htoxylin eosin (HE) staining and inflammatory cells from the brachial alveolar lavage fluid were counted by Diff staining. The expression levels of key proteins in MAPK signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.

Result:

2

As compared with the normal control group

the lung indexes were significantly increased in model group (

P

<

0.01)

showing obvious inflammatory pathological changes

and serious airway inflammation cells exudation (

P

<

0.01)

with a predominant percentage of eosinophils

moreover

the expression levels of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were increased obviously in asthmatic mice. After treatment by Da Chengqitang

lung indexes and pulmonary inflammation were significantly decreased

with an inhibitory rate of 68.4% for lung indexes

and inflammatory pathology of lung tissues was obviously improved and inflammatory cell exudation was alleviated

with the obviously lower levels of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 protein.

Conclusion:

2

Da Chengqitang based on " Pulmonary Intestinal Treatment" can effectively improve lung inflammation in mice with allergic asthma

which may be related to the expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 protein.