Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Xiaochuanping powder(XP), a traditional Chinese prescription for the treatment of cough and asthma, on serum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and interleukin(IL)-4, eosinophil counts, as well as expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-1 in the lung tissues of asthmatic rats.METHODS: Sixty clean-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into six groups: normal control(NC), asthma model, Guilong Kechuanning(GK)group, as well as high-, intermediate-, and lowdose XP groups. Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin(OVA) to trigger asthma. Serum concentrations of ECP, TNF-α and IL-4, eosinophil counts, as well as expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissues were evaluated using an immunofluorescence method. m RNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Compared with the asthma-model group, serum concentrations of ECP, TNF-α, and IL-4, and eosinophil counts decreased significantly in the high-and intermediate-dose XP groups and GK group(all P < 0.01). Protein expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 decreased significantly in the high-and intermediate-dose XP groups and GK group(all P < 0.01). Transcription of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 m RNA and the ratio of expression of MMP-9: TIMP-1 in lung tissue were significantly lower(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: XP can reduce TNF-α secretion, suppress the infiltration/activation of eosinophils, reduce serum concentrations of ECP and IL-4, reduce the protein and m RNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue, and regulate the balance between expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. In these ways, XP alleviated the inflammation and remodeling of the airways.

Key words: Asthma, Airway remodeling, Eosinophils, Eosinophil cationic protein, Matrix metalloproteinase 9, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, Xiaochuanping powder