Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction Attenuates Th1 and Th2 Responses in the Treatment of Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Inflammation in a Rat Model of Allergic Rhinitis.

Mengyue Ren,Qingfa Tang,Xiaomei Tan,Feilong Chen,Xuefeng Xing,Yao Huang

doi:10.1155/2017/8254324

Mengyue Ren, Qingfa Tang + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8254324

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Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common allergic diseases, which adversely affect patients' quality of life. Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction (MFXD) has been widely used to treat AR in clinics in Asian countries. This study investigated the effect and possible therapeutic mechanisms of MFXD in the treatment of AR. A Wistar rat model of ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced AR was established and then treated with three doses of MFXD; AR symptoms, serum total immunoglobulin E, histamine, histopathological features, and release and expression of factors related to type 1 helper T (Th1) and type 2 helper T (Th2) responses were analyzed. Our study demonstrated that MFXD has a good therapeutic effect on OVA-induced allergic inflammation in an AR rat model as manifested in reduced frequencies of sneezing and nasal scratching and in reduced serum levels of total IgE and HIS. In addition, MFXD regulates imbalance in Th1/Th2 cells caused by AR by simultaneously attenuating Th1 and Th2 responses, such as by reducing the serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 and mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, GATA-3, and STAT-6. This study provided valuable information on the immunoregulatory effect of MFXD for the treatment of AR in future clinical studies.

Highlights

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type I allergic disease induced by an immunoglobulin E- (IgE-) mediated inflammation and characterized by paroxysmal nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and sneezing [1, 2]
When persistently exposed to certain concentrations of allergens, an antigen-presenting cell presents the allergens to CD4+ T lymphocytes, which in turn release cytokines that stimulate B lymphocytes to differentiate into plasma cells; as a result, production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is promoted
Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction (MFXD) is a traditional medicine used in China, Japan, and other Asian countries to treat AR; we previously demonstrated that MFXD is an effective treatment for allergic inflammation in a guinea pig model of AR [28]

Summary

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type I allergic disease induced by an immunoglobulin E- (IgE-) mediated inflammation and characterized by paroxysmal nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and sneezing [1, 2]. The imbalance in type 1 helper T (Th1) cells and type 2 helper T (Th2) cells has been considered the main induction factor in IgE-mediated allergic inflammation [6, 8,9,10,11]. A series of side effects, such as mild drowsiness, deep sleep, dizziness, lassitude, inability to concentrate, and arrhythmia, may occur during treatment [3]. MFXD is a traditional medicine used in China, Japan, and other Asian countries to treat AR; we previously demonstrated that MFXD is an effective treatment for allergic inflammation in a guinea pig model of AR [28]. A rat model of OVA-induced AR was used to investigate the effect of MFXD on allergic inflammation and Th1 and Th2 immune responses associated with AR were further examined to elucidate the possible therapeutic mechanisms of MFXD

Materials and Methods

Results

Positive

Discussion

Conflicts of Interest