Objective: To study the impact of Xuanfei Pingchuan formula on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg cells in the asthmatic mice induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Method: The 55 female Balb/C mice at the age of 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into normal group

model group

prednisone group (7.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)

low and high dose Xuanfei Pingchuan formula groups (16.72

66.88 g·kg-1·d-1)

with 11 mice in each group. Asthmatic mice models were established by OVA with intra-abdominal injection and inhalation

while the mice in normal group received injection and airway atomization of normal saline (NS). Mice in each treatment group were administered with corresponding drugs by gavage after provocation test

and the normal group and model group received normal saline. After treatment for 15 days

all the mice were put into death after the last administration. The lung tissues of mice were observed by pathological section and HE staining. The level of serum interleukin-4(IL-4)

transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA). The proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells in the blood were detected by flow cytometry (FC). Result: Compared with the model group

injury of lung tissues was alleviated in various treatment groups

and the levels of IL-4

TNF-α were decreased (P<0.05)

the level of TGF-β was increased (P<0.05)

the level of Th17 cells was decreased while the level of Treg cells was increased. There was no statistically significant difference in levels of IL-4

TNF-α and TGF-β between prednisone group and Xuanfei Pingchuan formula low and high dose groups. However

Xuanfei Pingchuan formula low and high dose groups had better effect in decreasing Th17 cells proportion and increasing Treg cells proportion. Conclusion: Xuanfei Pingchuan formula has certain protective effect for the mucosa damage of lung tissues in asthmatic mice. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulating Th17 cells level

up-regulating Treg cells level

and restoring the balance of Th17/Treg cells

thus decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-4

TNF-α and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β.