[Shenge Yifei Formula ameliorates pulmonary inflammation and dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of the traditional Chinese herbal compound formula, Shenge Yifei Formula, on pulmonary inflammation and function in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and to elucidate its underlying mechanism from the perspective of inhibiting T helper 1(Th1) immune responses. A COPD model was established in C57BL/6 mice by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) combined with passive smoking exposure. The mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a tiotropium bromide group, and low-and high-dose Shenge Yifei Formula groups. Following a 5-week intervention, pulmonary function tests and HE staining were performed to assess lung histopathological changes. Flow cytometry, multicolor immunofluorescence, and ELISA were employed to detect the proportion and distribution of CD4~+ C-X-C chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3)~+ Th1 cells in lung tissue, as well as the levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-12(IL-12), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10(CXCL10) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF). Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing was conducted on lung tissue from the high-dose Shenge Yifei Formula group. The study demonstrated that, compared with the model group, Shenge Yifei Formula significantly improved pulmonary function in COPD mice and attenuated alveolar structural damage, airway remodeling, and inflammatory cell infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the high dose of Shenge Yifei Formula markedly reduced the proportion and density of CD4~+CXCR3~+Th1 cells in lung tissue and decreased the levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and CXCL10 in BALF. Transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that its mechanism of action is closely associated with the modulation of immune pathways such as T cell differentiation and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. In conclusion, Shenge Yifei Formula effectively ameliorates pulmonary inflammation and dysfunction in COPD mice by inhibiting Th1 cell differentiation, recruitment, and the associated cytokine network. Unlike tiotropium bromide, which primarily improves ventilatory function, Shenge Yifei Formula exerts a significant inhibitory effect on the Th1 axis, suggesting a distinct advantage complementary to bronchodilator therapy at the level of immune inflammation. This study provides modern experimental evidence for the clinical application of Shenge Yifei Formula and indicates its therapeutic potential in COPD by concurrently targeting anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling processes.