Experimental study on the effect of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction on nasal mucosa infiltration of NK cells in mice with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction on the infiltration and activation of NK cells in nasal mucosa of mouse model with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore the potential mechanism for effective intervention of AR with Yiqi Wenyang Decoction. Methods: Fourty-eight mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low, medium and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group and Cetirizine group, with 8 rats in each group. After modeling of AR, the model group was filled with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Yiqi Wenyang Decoction groups of each dose were given different concentrations of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction water extract, while the Cetirizine group was given aqueous solution of Cetirizine. The behavior, morphological changes of nasal mucosa and infiltration of NK cells in nasal mucosa were observed. The levels of IL-4 and INF-γ in nasal lavage fluid were measured. Besides, the drug safety was observed by acute toxicity test. Results: In the respect of behavioral scoring, middle and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group were superior to the model group (number of sneezing: q value was 7.189, 8.748, respectively; number of scratching nose: q value was 12.074, 14.560, respectively; all P<0.05). In middle and high dose of Yiqi Wenyang Decoction group, the infiltration of NK cells and nasal lavage fluid IL-4 levels were lower than those in model group (IOD: q value was 10.073, 12.322, respectively; IOD/Area: q value was 10.954, 14.073, respectively; IL-4: q value was 4.705, 6.801, respectively; all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in nasal lavage fluid of INF-γ among each group (Fv=1.166, P>0.05). In acute toxicity test, no obvious poisoning symptoms and death occurred in mice. Conclusion: Yiqi Wenyang Decoction can control the nasal symptom, reduce the local NK cell infiltration of nasal mucosa and inhibit the expression of the 2-type cytokines released by NK cells, which may be related with the potential mechanism of effective intervention of AR with Yiqi Wenyang Decoction.