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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
BFJPM ameliorates OVA-induced food allergy in a murine model accompanied by gut microbiota remodeling
Xue Yang1,2, Huiyi Peng1,2, Rao Hu1,2
1The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.
Abstract:
BufeiJianpi Mixture (BFJPM) is a modified herbal formula developed from long-term clinical practice for the management of allergic constitution in children. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BFJPM in an OVA-induced murine model of food allergy and to investigate its effects on the gut microbiota through integrated animal experiments, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and network pharmacology.
Methods:
Sixty 3-week-old female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to six groups: negative control (NC), FA model, cetirizine, BFJPM-L, BFJPM-M, and BFJPM-H. An OVA-induced food allergy model was established. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using allergy symptom scores, the V/C ratio of the small intestinal mucosa, and serum total IgE levels. Gut microbiota profiles were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing of intestinal contents. PICRUSt2 was used to predict microbial functional profiles, and network pharmacology was applied to identify key targets and pathways involved in BFJPM-mediated intervention.
Results:
BFJPM reduced allergy symptom scores and serum total IgE levels and improved the V/C ratio in FA mice. NMDS analysis showed significant differences in gut microbiota composition among groups (stress = 0.141). BFJPM increased microbial richness and altered community structure, with enrichment of Actinobacteria and Candidatus Arthromitus. Among the differential taxa, Saccharopolyspora emerged as the most promising genus associated with BFJPM intervention and was negatively correlated with serum IgE levels. Integrated network pharmacology and microbial functional prediction identified IL6, TNF, and IL10 as major targets of BFJPM in FA. The African trypanosomiasis pathway was identified as a shared pathway linking BFJPM, FA, and gut microbiota-associated functional alterations.
Conclusion:
BFJPM alleviated food allergy symptoms, reduced serum IgE levels, and improved intestinal mucosal integrity in OVA-induced FA mice. These effects were accompanied by remodeling of the gut microbiota. Saccharopolyspora may represent a microbial feature associated with BFJPM treatment. The African trypanosomiasis pathway may indicate a potential point of convergence between BFJPM-regulated host pathways and microbiota-associated functional changes. However, the causal relationship between microbiota remodeling and therapeutic efficacy remains to be established.
Insights
BufeiJianpi Mixture (BFJPM) effectively manages food allergies in mice by reducing symptoms and IgE levels. It also positively reshapes the gut microbiota, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Immunology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Allergic constitution in children presents a clinical challenge.
- BufeiJianpi Mixture (BFJPM) is a traditional herbal formula used for managing allergic conditions.
- Understanding BFJPM's impact on food allergy and gut microbiota is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BFJPM in an OVA-induced murine model of food allergy.
- To investigate BFJPM's effects on the gut microbiota composition and function.
- To identify key molecular targets and pathways involved in BFJPM's action using network pharmacology.
Main Methods:
- Established a food allergy model in BALB/c mice using Ovalbumin (OVA).
- Assessed therapeutic efficacy via symptom scores, V/C ratio, and serum IgE levels.
- Analyzed gut microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing and predicted functions with PICRUSt2; employed network pharmacology for target identification.
Main Results:
- BFJPM significantly reduced allergy symptoms, serum IgE, and improved intestinal V/C ratio.
- BFJPM altered gut microbiota structure, increasing richness and enriching *Actinobacteria* and *Candidatus Arthromitus*.
- Network pharmacology identified IL6, TNF, and IL10 as key targets, with the African trypanosomiasis pathway implicated.
Conclusions:
- BFJPM alleviates OVA-induced food allergy symptoms and modulates the gut microbiota in mice.
- *Saccharopolyspora* enrichment and the African trypanosomiasis pathway are potential mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to establish the causal link between microbiota changes and therapeutic effects.
