[Xinfeng capsule improves pulmonary function of rats with rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting PKC/NF-κB pathway]

Objective To observe the effect of Xinfeng capsule (XFC) on PKC/NF-κB pathway in the lung tissue of adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. Methods Rats were divided into normal control(NC) group, model control(MC) group, XFC group, and leflunomide group (LEF). Except the NC group, the other three groups were induced into AA models with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The XFC [0.34 g/(kg.d), 1 mL/100 g) or LEF 0.05 mg/(kg.d)] was administrated from day 19 after the injection of CFA by gavage, once a day for 30 days. Pulmonary function was observed. The levels of IL-6, IL-12, IL-10, IL-17, IL-35 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 were detected by ELISA. Ras-associated C3 botoxin substrate 1 (Rac-1), PKC, NF-κBp65 mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The levels of Rac-1, PKC, NF-κBp65 proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. The expression and distribution of PKC and NF-κB in the lung tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Results The pulmonary function parameters such as FEV1, FEF50, FEF75 and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the XFC group were significantly higher than those in the MC group. The expression of IL-10, IL-35 in the serum increased, and IL-6, IL-17 and MMP-9 decreased. Compared with the MC group, the expression of PKC, NF-κBp65 and Rac-1 decreased in the XFC group. Conclusion XFC improves the lung function by inhibiting the PKC/NF-κB pathway and balancing the cytokine network.