Efficacy of Yiqigubiao pill on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rats with the disease induced by lipopolysaccharide and cigarette-smoke fumigation.

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy of Yiqigubiao pill (YQGB) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats with the COPD induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette- smoke fumigation. In this study, six groups of rats were set up, including control group, model group, positive control group (aminophylline) and YQGB (high, medium and low doses) groups. Tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette-smoke fumigation induced COPD in rats. The general condition, incubation period and coughing times, lung function, level of inflammatory factors, leukocyte condition and pathological changes of bronchus and lung tissue were observed in rats of each group. In the COPD rats, the latent period of coughing was shortened and the cough frequency was increased significantly; the pulmonary function was significantly decreased, which was manifested by the increased lung tissue resistance and respiratory system resistance, and the decreasing percentage of forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory volume in the 0.3 s (FEV0.3/FVC); the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-4 in serum were obviously increased, and the NEUT% in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increase. YQGB could obviously prolong the latent period of cough, and reduce the cough frequency and the content of TNF-α in serum. YQGB can also significantly reduce respiratory resistance and increase FEV0.3/FVC value. The results of histopathology showed that YQGB significantly reduced the pathological changes of tracheal mucosa and lung caused by COPD. YQGB obviously increased level of AQP1, which was down-regulated in the COPD rats. YQGB could significantly improve the pulmonary function, reduce inflammation and alleviate lung and bronchial diseases in the COPD rats.