Abstract
Effect and Mechanism of Bufei Huoxue Capsule on the Inhibition of Chronic Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion in the Airways of Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Induced by Cigarette Smoke Exposure Combined with LPS Drip

ABSTRACT Objective: To observe the effects of Bufei Huoxue (BFHX) Capsule on rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: In a rat model of cigarette smoke exposure combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COPD, hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and alcian blue-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) staining were used to observe the state of airway epithelial cells. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor88 (MyD88), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κBp65), mucin5ac (Muc5ac), epidermal growth factor (EGFR), P-EGFR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), P-PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), P-AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). ELISAs were carried out to determine the contents of related inflammatory factors in the serum and alveolar lavage fluid of rats with COPD. Immunohistochemical observation of Muc5ac protein expression in lung tissue was performed. Results: BFHX capsule significantly inhibited the inflammatory response, including the expression of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, Neutrophil elastase (NE), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), EGF, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). BFHX capsule also significantly inhibited the expression of the mucus hypersecretion proteins Muc5ac, P-EGFR, P-PI3K, P-AKT, P-P38/P38 MAPK and P-extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2(P-ERK 1/2)/ERK 1/2. Conclusion: BFHX capsule improved the pathological reactions in the lungs of COPD model rats by inhibiting the airway inflammatory response and mucus hypersecretion symptoms.

Keywords: Bufei Huoxue Capsule; Chronic Inflammation; Mucus Hypersecretion in the Airway; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease