Bufei Yishen granules and it combined with acupoint sticking therapy suppresses inflammation in COPD rats: via JNK/p38 signaling pathway

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Our previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Bufei Yishen granules combined with acupoint sticking (Shu-Fei Tie) in COPD, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study was initiated to explore the mechanism of Bufei Yishen combined with Shu-Fei Tie on inflammation regulated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK signaling. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Control, Model, Bufei Yishen (BY), acupoint sticking (AS), Bufei Yishen + acupoint sticking (BY + AS), and aminophylline (APL) groups (n=12 each). Animals were exposed to cigarette smoke and bacteria to establish COPD model. From week 9 to 20, BY, AS, BY+AS and APL groups received the corresponding drugs. All the rats were sacrificed at week 20. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-2, 6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung as well as JNK, p38 mRNA and protein were measured. Results: IL-2, IL-6, MCP-1 levels, JNK and p38 MAPK mRNA and p-JNK, p-p38 protein in Model were higher than in Control (P Conclusion: Bufei Yishen granules and it combined with Shu-Fei Tie is better than other protocols，the effect involved in regulating JNK/p38 MAPK pathway.