Effect of Volatile Oil from Xanthii Fructus on Airway Remodeling of Rats with Bronchial Asthma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To discuss the effect of volatile oil from Xanthii Fructus on airway remodeling of rats with bronchial asthma, in order to discuss the mechanism of action through matrix metalloteinases-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad2, Smad3 and Smad7 mRNA expressions. Method:Forty-eight rats (half males and half females) were randomly divided into six groups (n=8), namely normal saline group, model group, volatile oil from Xanthii Fructus (7.5, 15, 30 mg·kg-1) groups and dexamethasone group (0.5 mg·kg-1). Except for normal saline group, airway remodeling of rats were established through ovalbumin sensitization and atomization inhalation method. At volatile oil group, rats got volatile oil spray since the first time (the 4th week after modeling) of inspiration of asthma to the last day before the end of test. Histopathological changes of bronchus and lung were analyzed by htoxylin eosin (HE) stain. And airway remodeling was observed, and perimeter of bronchial lumen (Pi), smooth muscle area of bronchi (S), tube wall area (W) and nuclei of smooth muscle cells (N) were recorded. And levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) in irrigation solution of Alveoli (BALF) were detected. And mRNA expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1, PDGF, TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad7 were detected by real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:In the model group, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells were found at the peribronchial wall, airway smooth muscle thickness and basement membrane increased, and bureaucratic cavity was narrower and flatter. Volatile oil from Xanthii Fructus can ameliorate pathological damage of bronchopulmonary tissue. Levels of S/Pi, W/Pi and N/Pi, BALF, ET-1, IGF-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 and mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and PDGF in volatile oil group and dexamethasone group were lower than those in model group (Pβ1, Smad2 and Smad3 were less than those in model group (PPConclusion:Volatile oil from Xanthii Fructus can regulate levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1, TGF-β1/Smad, inhibit expressions of PDGF, ET-1 and IGF-1, and suppress subepithelial fibrosis, extracellular matrix synthesis, proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells to relieve or inhibit airway remodeling, so as to prevent and treat asthma.