Abstract

We aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Yupingfeng capsule for combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome via the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Rats were divided into normal, model, experimental and control groups. Combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome model was established through sensitization with ovalbumin and aluminium hydroxide and intranasal instillation and atomization of ovalbumin. Then experimental and control groups were given Yupingfeng capsules and dexamethasone at 2 mg/kg by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days, while normal and model groups were intraperitoneally injected with an equal dose of normal saline. Their nasal symptoms were scored and cell apoptosis in lung tissues was observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. Serum levels of interleukin-5 and interleukin-13 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-kappa B expressions in lung and nasal mucosa tissues were measured by Western blotting. The score of nasal symptoms, levels of interleukin-5 and interleukin-13, cell apoptosis rate in lung tissues and expressions of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-kappa B were significantly lower in experimental and control groups than in model group (p<0.05). Yupingfeng capsule can obviously suppress the release of inflammatory factors and the apoptosis of cells as well as relieve the symptoms of combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome rats probably by inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway.