OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula on airway inflammation in mice with acute asthma and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODS A total of 36 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula, with 6 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were given ovalbumin to establish the acute asthma attack mouse model. The normal group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage, and the Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula groups were given Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula by gavage at the corresponding dose, once a day, for 5 consecutive days. Whole Body Plethysmography was used to measure the changes of enhanced respiratory interval (Pehn) of bronchial contraction parameters in mice. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue in mice. ELISA method was adopted to detect the expression levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lung tissue homogenate of mice. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression level of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) in lung tissue of mice. Western blot method was employed to detect the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation-associated protein κ gene binding nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3), NIMA-associated kinase 7 (NEK7), Caspase 1 (Cleaved-Caspase 1) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) in lung tissue of mice.

RESULTS Compared with the normal group, the Penh level of mice in the model group was increased (P < 0.001), and the pathological results of lung tissue showed that the number of inflammatory cells around the airway increased, the inflammatory score increased (P < 0.001), the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in lung tissue homogenate increased (P < 0.001), and the expression of NF-κB, NLRP3, NEK7, Cleaved-Caspase 1, and ASC proteins in lung tissue increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Compared with the model group, the Penh level of mice in the Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula groups and the dexamethasone group was reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), the number of inflammatory cells in lung tissue decreased, and the inflammatory score decreased (P < 0.001); the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in lung tissue homogenate decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001); the expression of NF-κB, NLRP3, NEK7, Cleaved-Caspase 1, and ASC proteins in lung tissue decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula can improve lung function and airway inflammation in asthma model mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β secretion.