Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
[Effect of Yupingfeng San against OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice]
Hui-Zhu Wang1, Min Hong, Li-Li Gui
1Pharmacologic Laboratory for Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine under State Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Traditional Chinee Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China. wanghuizhu1986@sina.com
Objective:
To observe the effect of Yupingfeng San (YPFS) against OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice.
Method:
Mice were injected with OVA to establish the allergic asthma model. They were abdominally injected with 20 microg OVA on day 0 and 14, and inhaled aerosol 0.5% OVA solution for 20 min for seven days. The blank control group was administrated with equal volume of saline. YPFS groups with different doses were administrated intragastrically with YPFS every day, with the crude drug dosage of 3.25, 6.5, 13 g x kg(-1), respectively. The model group and control group were administrated with equal volume of saline. The positive control group was given intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg x kg(-1) DEX since aerosol inhalation. Blood was drawn after the last OVA aerosol inhalation to count the number of Eosnophils (Eos) in blood and detect IgE in serum; BALF was collected to count the number of cells and classify; right lung tissues were evenly grinded to detect cytokines IL-4 and IFN-gamma, and left upper lung lobes were collected for pathologic histology.
Result:
The level of Eos and IgE in serum increased significantly in the model group, and a large number of Eos were detected in BALF. Histopathological changes in lung showed bronchial serous exudation, tubular epithelial cells exfoliation, tube narrowing, widened alveolar septum, and bronchial periarterial lymphocytes infiltration. Homogenate of lung tissues showed increase of IL-4, and decrease in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio. YPFS groups with different doses displayed decrease of Eos in blood and BALF and IgE content in serum, and relief of pathologic changes in above models. Meanwhile, IL-4 content in homogenate of lung tissues decreased, with the increase in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio.
Conclusion:
YPFS shows the inhibitory effects on OVA-induced allergic asthma, involving down regulation of Eos and IgE levels in blood of asthma mice, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues. Meanwhile, it can reduce IL-4 in lung homogenates, increase IFN-gamma/IL-4, and inhibits Th2 polarization.
Insights
Yupingfeng San (YPFS) effectively treats allergic asthma in mice by reducing eosinophils and IgE levels. This traditional Chinese medicine also alleviates lung inflammation and balances key cytokines, inhibiting Th2 polarization.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Context:
- Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
- Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse models are widely used to study asthma pathogenesis and evaluate therapeutic interventions.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations, like Yupingfeng San (YPFS), are increasingly investigated for their therapeutic potential in allergic diseases.
Purpose:
- To investigate the efficacy of Yupingfeng San (YPFS) in an OVA-induced mouse model of allergic asthma.
- To evaluate the effects of YPFS on key immunological and histopathological markers of asthma.
Summary:
- Mice with OVA-induced asthma exhibited elevated eosinophils, IgE, and IL-4, alongside decreased IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio and significant lung tissue damage.
- YPFS treatment, administered intragastrically, dose-dependently reduced eosinophils and IgE in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).
- YPFS also ameliorated lung histopathology, decreased IL-4 levels, and increased the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio, indicating a shift away from Th2 polarization.
Impact:
- YPFS demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on allergic asthma, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.
- The findings suggest YPFS modulates immune responses by downregulating Th2-mediated inflammation.
- This study supports the use of YPFS in managing allergic asthma and highlights its immunomodulatory mechanisms.
