ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction on the plasma levels of interlcukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in allergic rhinitis in rats. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a chlorpheniramine group, and a Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction group, with 8 rats in each group. Allergic rhinitis was induced by ovalbumin sensitization. Rats in the chlorpheniramine and Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction groups received intragastric administration of 0.01%chlorpheniramine and Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction 0.4 g (twice daily for 21 days), respectively. The plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-αwere measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The frequencies of sneezing (2.4 ± 0.9/30 min vs.18.5 ± 3.6/30 min) and nasal rubbing (4.2 ± 1.5/30 min vs. 31.2 ± 3.7/30 min) in the Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction group were significantly lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05). The plasma levels of IL-6 (153.00 ± 13.87 pg/ml vs. 230.38 ± 33.92 pg/ml) and TNF-α(21.25 ± 4.62 pg/ml vs. 56.38 ± 7.93 pg/ml) in the Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction group were significantly lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction can reduce the plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and alleviate symptoms in allergic rhinitis in rats.