ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effects of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase timps-1 (TIMP-1) in lung tissue of asthma mice.Methods:Totally 50 male BALB/C mice were divided into 5 groups: normal group, model group, dexamethasone group, Qingfei Shenshi Decoction low- and high-dosage groups (10 mice /group) according to random number table method. Asthma model mice were prepared by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge method. After successful modeling, the dexamethasone group was given dexamethasone for gavage at the rate of 1.56 mg/kg, while Qingfei Shenshi Decoction groups were given high and low doses of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction for gavage at the rate of 14.235 g/kg and 28.470 g/kg, respectively. Normal group and model group were given 0.9% sodium chloride solution by gavage. At the end of gavage administration for 4 weeks, the airway reactivity (Penh value) in each group was detected; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue; the contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) in alveolar lavage fluid were determined by enzyme Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue were detected by Western-blot.Results:Compared with model group, the damage of airway wall and alveolar wall of lung tissue in Qingfei Shenshi Decoction groups was significantly reduced. Compared with model group, the Penh value, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels in Qingfei Shenshi Decoction low- and high-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of MMP-9, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue decreased ( P<0.05), with a certain dose dependence. Conclusion:Qingfei Shenshi Decoction can effectively alleviate airway inflammation, reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, improve lung function and inhibit airway remodeling in asthmatic mice. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1.