Bufei Yishen Granules Combined with Acupoint Sticking Therapy Suppress Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Rats: Via JNK/p38 Signaling Pathway

Yange Tian,Yang Xie,Wanchun Zheng,Minghang Wang,Suxiang Feng,Haoran Dong,Jing Mao,Jiansheng Li,Ya Li,Suyun Li,Xuefang Liu

doi:10.1155/2017/1768243

Abstract

The present study was initiated to explore the mechanism of the effects of Bufei Yishen granules combined with acupoint sticking therapy (Shu-Fei Tie) on inflammation regulated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK signaling in COPD rats. Seventy-two rats were divided into healthy control (Control), Model, Bufei Yishen (BY), acupoint sticking (AS), Bufei Yishen + acupoint sticking (BY + AS), and aminophylline (APL) groups (n = 12 each). COPD rats were exposed to cigarette smoke and bacteria and were given the various treatments from weeks 9 through 20; all animals were sacrificed at the end of week 20. MCP-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations in BALF and lung tissue as well as JNK and p38 mRNA and protein levels in lung were measured. The results showed that all the four treatment protocols (BY, AS, BY + AS, and APL) markedly reduced the concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, and MCP-1 and levels of JNK and p38 MAPK mRNA, and the effects of Bufei Yishen granules combined with acupoint sticking therapy were better than acupoint sticking therapy only and aminophylline. In conclusion, the favorable effect of Bufei Yishen granules combined with Shu-Fei Tie may be due to decreased inflammation through regulation of the JNK/p38 signaling pathways.

Highlights

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases [1]
This study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficiency of Bufei Yishen granules, Shu-Fei Tie, and their combination in COPD rat model, and the results suggested that Bufei Yishen granules combined with Shu-Fei Tie therapy were beneficial for relieving lung and airway inflammation in COPD rats and that this effect was mediated via the downregulation of JUN N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway
Our previous clinical study has confirmed the beneficial effect of Bufei Yishen granules in stable COPD [12]

Summary

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases [1]. The chronic inflammation response may induce parenchymal tissue destruction (resulting in emphysema) and disruption of normal repair and defense mechanisms (resulting in small airway fibrosis) [1]. The c-JUN N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, the main components of MAPK pathway, are closely correlated with the inflammatory response. JNK and p38 MAPK pathway can be activated by environmental stimuli, such as tobacco smoke, and by endogenous signals, such as cytokines, growth factors, and inflammation-derived oxidants. Recent studies have suggested that activation of the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Conclusion