ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Qinma Formula on endogenous anti-inflammatory system in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Rat models of COPD were made by modified smoked lipopolysaccharide method. 70 healthy SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Western medicine control group (aminophylline group), TCM medicine control group (Liujunzi Decoction group) and Qinma Formula high-, medium-, and low-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Each medication group was given relevant medicine for gavage. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope; the alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and venous blood were collected and the related indexes were tested; the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with normal group, BALF white blood cells, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocyte, hemoglobin and platelet count in rats of model group increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, BALF white blood cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in rats of Qinma medium- and high-dose groups and Liujunzi Decoction group decreased significantly (P<0.05); white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelet count in rats of Qinma medium-, high-dose groups and aminophylline group decreased significantly (P<0.05); levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in serum decreased significantly (P<0.05); level of IL-10 in serum increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Qinma Formula can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response through the regulation of inflammatory response-related cytokines.