Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 730-738.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.04.003
• Original Articles • Previous Articles Next Articles
FAN Changzheng1, ZHANG Qiong1, FAN Maorong1, MENG Hongxu2, CONG Xiaodong1, FAN Yiling1, YUAN Shasha3, MIAO Qing1(
)
Received:2024-07-23
Accepted:2024-12-31
Online:2025-08-15
Published:2025-07-25
Contact:
MIAO Qing
About author:MIAO Qing, Respiratory Department, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China. faanchzh@163.com,Telephone: +86-13552145086; +86-1062835377Supported by:FAN Changzheng, ZHANG Qiong, FAN Maorong, MENG Hongxu, CONG Xiaodong, FAN Yiling, YUAN Shasha, MIAO Qing. Qufeng Jiejing formula (祛风解痉方) ameliorated the injury of airway smooth muscle cells induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB through the transforming growth factor-β1/Smads signaling pathway[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025, 45(4): 730-738.
Figure 1 QFJJ alleviate injured ASMCs induced by PDGF-BB A: cell viability detected by MTT assay; B: cell migration detected by transwell assay. B1: 0 μM PDGF-BB; B2: 12 μM PDGF-BB; B3: 25 μM PDGF-BB; B4: 50 μM PDGF-BB; C: statistical analysis of transwell result; D: cell migration detected by wound healing assay. D1: 0 μM PDGF-BB for 0 h; D2: 12 μM PDGF-BB for 0 h; D3: 25 μM PDGF-BB for 0 h; D4: 50 μM PDGF-BB for 0 h; D5: 0 μM PDGF-BB for 24 h; D6: 12 μM PDGF-BB for 24 h; D7: 25 μM PDGF-BB for 24 h; D8: 50 μM PDGF-BB for 24 h; E: statistical analysis of wound healing result. PDGF-BB: platelet-derived growth factor-BB. QFJJ: Qufeng Jiejing; ASMCs: airway smooth muscle cells; MTT: methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide; ANOVA: analysis of variance. Each treatment was performed in triplicate, and values are represented as the mean ± standard deviation (n = 6). One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Duncan test was used for further pairwise comparisons. Compared with PDGF-BB (0 ng/mL) group, aP < 0.05.
| Item | PDGF-BB (ng/mL) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (n = 3) | 12 (n = 3) | 25 (n = 3) | 50 (n = 3) | |
| TNF-α | 13.20±0.75 | 20.76±1.37a | 48.02±3.77b | 52.37±4.48b |
| IL-1β | 2.94±0.27 | 3.71±0.44 | 6.82±0.50b | 7.65±0.54b |
| Laminin | 18.34±1.70 | 23.74±2.25 | 45.00±5.64b | 50.23±5.26b |
| Fibronectin | 26.60±3.27 | 31.44±4.91 | 45.18±3.35b | 52.42±5.08b |
| Collagen IV | 20.90±3.43 | 27.67±1.86a | 37.45±3.63b | 42.85±1.49b |
Table 1 Effects of different concentrations of PDGF-BB on inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix components (pg/mL, $\bar{x} \pm s$)
| Item | PDGF-BB (ng/mL) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (n = 3) | 12 (n = 3) | 25 (n = 3) | 50 (n = 3) | |
| TNF-α | 13.20±0.75 | 20.76±1.37a | 48.02±3.77b | 52.37±4.48b |
| IL-1β | 2.94±0.27 | 3.71±0.44 | 6.82±0.50b | 7.65±0.54b |
| Laminin | 18.34±1.70 | 23.74±2.25 | 45.00±5.64b | 50.23±5.26b |
| Fibronectin | 26.60±3.27 | 31.44±4.91 | 45.18±3.35b | 52.42±5.08b |
| Collagen IV | 20.90±3.43 | 27.67±1.86a | 37.45±3.63b | 42.85±1.49b |
Figure 2 QFJJ formula relieved the injury in ASMCs induced by PDGF-BB A: ASMCs were cultured (1 × 107/well) in 96-well plates, and pre-cultured with 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, then treated with PAT or different concentrations of QFJJ (0.59, 1.18, and 2.36 g/mL), cell viability detected by MTT assay for 3.5 h; B: ASMCs were cultured (1 × 105/well) in transwell, and pre-cultured with 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, then treated with PAT or different concentrations of QFJJ, the cell migration detected by transwell assays for 6 h; B1: Control; B2: 50 μM PDGF-BB; B3: 50 μM PDGF-BB and PAT; B4: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 0.59 g/mL QFJJ; B5: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ; B6: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 2.36 g/mL QFJJ. C: statistical analysis of transwell result; D: ASMCs were cultured (2000 /well) in 6-well plates, and pre-cultured with 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, then treated with PAT or different concentrations of QFJJ, the cell migration detected by wound healing assays. D1: Control for 0 h; D2: 50 μM PDGF-BB for 0 h; D3: 50 μM PDGF-BB and PAT for 0 h; D4: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 0.59 g/mL QFJJ for 0 h; D5: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ for 0 h; D6: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 2.36 g/mL QFJJ for 0 h; D7: Control for 24 h; D8: 50 μM PDGF-BB for 24 h; D9: 50 μM PDGF-BB and PAT for 24 h; D10: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 0.59 g/mL QFJJ for 24 h; D11: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ for 24 h; D12: 50 μM PDGF-BB and 2.36 g/mL QFJJ for 24 h; E: statistical analysis of wound healing result. QFJJ: Qufeng Jiejing; ASMCs: airway smooth muscle cells; MTT: methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide; PDGF-BB: platelet-derived growth factor-BB; Con: control; PAT: prednisone acetate tablets; L: low dose; M: medium dose; H: high dose. Each treatment was performed in triplicate, and values are represented as the mean ± standard deviation (n = 6). Compared with control group, aP < 0.05; compared with PDGF-BB (50 ng/mL) group, bP < 0.05.
| Item | Con (n = 3) | PDGF-BB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - (n = 3) | PAT (n = 3) | L (n = 3) | M (n = 3) | H (n = 3) | ||
| TNF-α | 12.60±0.80 | 51.08±4.61a | 23.52±3.73b | 46.89±4.18 | 26.20±0.95b | 18.66±4.27b |
| IL-1β | 3.11±0.10 | 7.40±0.50a | 4.18±0.47b | 6.08±0.25b | 3.88±0.71b | 3.38±0.16b |
| Laminin | 20.40±3.45 | 42.28±3.48a | 28.10±4.92b | 34.67±1.64b | 27.21±4.73b | 23.28±2.55b |
| Fibronectin | 24.65±1.67 | 47.43±0.67a | 29.91±2.03b | 38.45±3.68b | 29.33±1.96b | 25.98±1.95b |
| Collagen IV | 22.22±2.52 | 40.81±4.18a | 25.05±2.07b | 34.54±1.07 | 23.93±1.63b | 20.73±2.46b |
Table 2 Effects of different concentrations of QFJJ formulation and PAT positive control on PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMCs inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix components (pg/mL, $\bar{x} \pm s$)
| Item | Con (n = 3) | PDGF-BB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - (n = 3) | PAT (n = 3) | L (n = 3) | M (n = 3) | H (n = 3) | ||
| TNF-α | 12.60±0.80 | 51.08±4.61a | 23.52±3.73b | 46.89±4.18 | 26.20±0.95b | 18.66±4.27b |
| IL-1β | 3.11±0.10 | 7.40±0.50a | 4.18±0.47b | 6.08±0.25b | 3.88±0.71b | 3.38±0.16b |
| Laminin | 20.40±3.45 | 42.28±3.48a | 28.10±4.92b | 34.67±1.64b | 27.21±4.73b | 23.28±2.55b |
| Fibronectin | 24.65±1.67 | 47.43±0.67a | 29.91±2.03b | 38.45±3.68b | 29.33±1.96b | 25.98±1.95b |
| Collagen IV | 22.22±2.52 | 40.81±4.18a | 25.05±2.07b | 34.54±1.07 | 23.93±1.63b | 20.73±2.46b |
Figure 3 Activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway reversed the QFJJ formula roles in the PDGF-BB induced ASMCs A1: Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression; A2: gray analysis of the protein levels of TGF-β1; A3: gray analysis of the protein ratio of p-smad2/smad2; A4: gray analysis of the protein ratio of p-smad3/smad3; B: cell viability detected by MTT assay for 3.5 h; C: cell migration detected by transwell assays for 6 h. C1: Control; C2: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB; C3: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ; C4: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ and SRI. D: statistical analysis of transwell result; E: cell migration detected by wound healing assays. E1: Conrol for 0 h; E2: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB for 0 h; E3: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ for 0 h; E4: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, 1.18 g/mL QFJJ and SRI for 0 h; E5: Control for 24 h; E6: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB for 24 h; E7: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB and 1.18 g/mL QFJJ for 24 h; E4: 50 ng/mL PDGF-BB, 1.18 g/mL QFJJ and SRI for 24 h; F: statistical analysis of wound healing result. TGF-β1: transforming growth factor-β 1; QFJJ: qufengjiejing; ASMCs: airway smooth muscle cells; MTT: methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide; PDGF-BB: platelet-derived growth factor-BB; Con: Control; M: medium dose of QFJJ; SRI: SRI-011381 hydrochloride; ANOVA: analysis of variance. Each treatment was performed in triplicate, and values are represented as the mean ± standard deviation (n = 6). One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Duncan test was used for further pairwise comparisons. Compared with control group, aP < 0.05; compared with PDGF-BB (50 ng/mL) group, bP < 0.05; compared with PDGF-BB (50 ng/mL) and QFJJ (1.18 g/mL) group, cP < 0.05.
| Item | Con (n = 3) | PDGF-BB (n = 3) | PDGF-BB+M (n = 3) | PDGF-BB+M+SRI (n = 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNF-α | 13.00±1.79 | 52.96±2.94a | 25.29±5.98b | 41.34±3.73c |
| IL-1β | 3.32±0.47 | 6.91±0.45a | 4.18±0.14b | 5.76±0.45c |
| Laminin | 23.17±3.48 | 39.74±1.16a | 25.13±0.93b | 33.51±2.99c |
| Fibronectin | 24.35±4.83 | 43.94±3.74a | 28.55±3.07b | 38.17±3.97c |
| Collagen IV | 15.88±5.19 | 40.15±2.59a | 23.49±4.03b | 36.66±2.58c |
Table 3 Effects of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway on QFJJ-treated PDGF-BB stimulation of ASMCs inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix components (pg/mL, $\bar{x} \pm s$)
| Item | Con (n = 3) | PDGF-BB (n = 3) | PDGF-BB+M (n = 3) | PDGF-BB+M+SRI (n = 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNF-α | 13.00±1.79 | 52.96±2.94a | 25.29±5.98b | 41.34±3.73c |
| IL-1β | 3.32±0.47 | 6.91±0.45a | 4.18±0.14b | 5.76±0.45c |
| Laminin | 23.17±3.48 | 39.74±1.16a | 25.13±0.93b | 33.51±2.99c |
| Fibronectin | 24.35±4.83 | 43.94±3.74a | 28.55±3.07b | 38.17±3.97c |
| Collagen IV | 15.88±5.19 | 40.15±2.59a | 23.49±4.03b | 36.66±2.58c |
Figure 4 QFJJ formula inhibited the progression of asthma in vivo A: sections of left lung tissue from mice were used for HE staining; A1: Control; A2: OVA mice; A3: OVA mice treated with PAT; A4: OVA mice treated with 0.59 g QFJJ; A5: OVA mice treated with 1.18 g QFJJ; A6: OVA mice treated with 2.36 g QFJJ. B: statistical analysis of the inflammation score for each mice; C: statistical analysis of the WAi/Pbm for each mice; D: statistical analysis of the WAm/Pbm for each mice; E: the mRNA levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 were detected with PCR assay; E1: TGF-β1; E2: smad2; E3: smad3; F: the protein levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 were analyzed with western blot assay; F1: electrophoretic bands; F2: gray analysis of TGF-β1 protein levels; F3: gray analysis of the protein ratio of p-smad2/smad2; F4: gray analysis of the protein ratio of p-smad3/smad3. QFJJ: Qufeng Jiejing; HE: hematoxylin-eosin staining; PDGF-BB: platelet-derived growth factor-BB; OVA: ovalbumin; WAm/Pbm: Wall area of smooth muscle / perimeter of bronchial membrane;WAi/Pbm: wall area index / perimeter of bronchial membrane; PAT: prednisone acetate tablets; Con: control; L: low dose; M: medium dose; H: high dose; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; TGF-β1: transforming growth factor-beta 1; ANOVA: analysis of variance. Each treatment was performed in triplicate, and values are represented as the mean ± standard deviation (n = 6). One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Duncan test was used for further pairwise comparisons. Compared with control group, aP < 0.05; compared with OVA group, bP < 0.05.
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