Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Qingjin Huatan Tang in treatment of airway injury and mucus hypersecretion in acute airway inflammation model of rats. Method: The model of acute airway inflammation in rats was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

and randomly divided into 6 groups

namely blank group

model group

Dexamethasone group

high-dose

medium-dose and low-dose Qingjin Huatan Tang (7.44

3.72

1.86 g·kg-1) groups. Each group of rats was put to death in batches on the 4th day and 7th day after administration. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)

trachea and lung tissues were collected to count the number of white blood cells and other types of cells in BALF of each group of rats. Cell factor of interleukin(IL)-1β

IL-8

tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and MUC5AC in BALF were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes of trachea and lung tissues were observed under light microscope. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)

nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibition protein(IκBα)

and NF-κB p65 in lung tissues were determined with Western blot. Result: Qingjin Huatan Tang can inhibit the increasing number of leukocyte

neutrophil

and lymphocyte in BALF

relieve pathological inflammation scores of trachea and lung tissues

reduce the level of cell factors IL-1β

IL-8

TNF-α and the expression of mucin MUC5AC

down-regulate the expressions of p38MAPK and NF-κB p65

and up-regulate the expression of IκBα in lung tissues. Conclusion: Qingjin Huatan Tang has effects in inhibiting infiltration of inflammatory cells and airway inflammatory response

reducing the expressions of cells and mucin MUC5AC

inhibiting inflammatory reaction of airway. Qingjin Huatan Tang can inhibit mucin secretion and release of cytokines by regulating signaling pathways of p38MAPK/NF-κB in lung tissues

so as to improve the state of mucus hypersecretion and inflammatory injury in airway.