The anti-asthma effect of Mahuang decoction based on P38 MAPK/NF-KB signaling pathway and its mechanism / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To explore the intervention effect of Mahuang decoction on airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic rats based on the p38MAPK/NF-KB signaling pathway. Methods Network pharmacology was used to screen the potential signaling pathway of Mahuang decoction in treating asthma. The asthma model was replicated, and the airway reactivity and the pathologic changes of lung tissues of rats were observed. The concentrations of related indexes in rat serum and the expressions of key genes in murine pulmonary tissues were assessed. Results The results of network pharmacology identified 186 candidate targets, and pathway analysis showed that the treatment mechanism for asthma mainly involved Toll like receptor, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), T cell receptor and so on. Mahuang decoction reduced the airway mucus secretion, attenuated the subcutaneous collagen deposition in the airway, and decreased the airway reactivity significantly. It also obviously inhibited the concentrations of VEGF, TGF-ßl, ET - 1, OPN and bJ-GF in rat serum, and the mRNA expressions of p38MAPK, NF-iVEGF in murine pulmonary tissues. Conclusions Mahuang decoction can reduce the airway mucus secretion and attenuate the asthma airway remodeling, which may be related to its abilities of adjusting the concentrations of VEGF, TGF - ßl, ET - 1, OPN, bF-G F, and the expressions of key genes in p38MAPK/ NF-KB signaling pathway.