Acting Mechanism of Xiaofeng Xuanqiao Decoction for on Mice Model of Allergic Rhinitis

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effects of Xiaofeng Xuanqiao Decoction in treating mice with allergic rhinitis(AR) as well as its mechanism. METHODS 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， Xiaofeng Xuanqiao Decoction group and montelukast group， with 12 mice in each group. OVA sensitized mice were established as the model with gavage for 1 week. Nasal symptom scores， weight， weight of thymus and spleen index， nasal mucosa changes， serum total IgE， ova specific IgE and IL-4， IL-17， IL-33， IFN-γ levels in the thymus of mice were observed. RESULTS Xiaofeng Xuanqiao Decoction could significantly reduce nasal symptoms of AR in mice， reduce the increased weight， thymus weight and thymus index caused by allergic reaction. Besides， it could significantly reduce serum total IgE and ova specific IgE level， and inhibit the production of thymus IL-4， IL-17， IL-33， IFN-γ. In reducing the thymus IL-33 level， Xiaofeng Xuanqiao decoction was better than western medicine montelukast group. CONCLUSION Xiaofeng Xuanqiao Decoction has definite effects for AR in mice. The anti AR effects can be achieved by inhibiting the level of thymic cytokine.