Mechanism of action of Yupingfeng capsule for combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome via the TLR4/NF-KB pathway

We aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Yupingfeng capsule for combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS) via the TLR4/NF-KB pathway. Rats were divided into normal, model, experimental and control groups. CARAS model was established through sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) and Al(OH) 3 , and intranasal instillation and atomization of OVA. Then experimental and control groups were given Yupingfeng capsules and dexamethasone at 2 mg/kg by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days, while normal and model groups were intraperitoneally injected with an equal dose of normal saline. Their nasal symptoms were scored, and cell apoptosis in lung tissues was observed by TUNEL staining. Serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-13 were detected by ELISA, and TLR4 and NF-κB expressions in lung and nasal mucosa tissues were measured by Western blotting. The score of nasal symptoms, levels of IL-5 and IL-13, cell apoptosis rate in lung tissues, and expressions of TLR4 and NF-KB were significantly lower in experimental and control groups than in model group (P<0.05). Yupingfeng capsule can obviously suppress the release of inflammatory factors and the apoptosis of cells as well as relieve the symptoms of CARAS rats probably by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.