Abstract:
Objective
To observe the effect of Yiqi Guben capsule on the levels of TNF-α、IL-1β in serum and alveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic mice, and to explore the mechanism of Yiqi Guben capsule in inhibiting airway remodeling in asthma.
Methods
Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group(n＝10),model group(n＝14),Yiqi Guben capsules group(n＝12),dexamethasone tablets group(n＝12) and Tongkang tablets group(n＝12).Yiqi Guben capsules(55 g/L),dexamethasone tablets(0.005 g/L)and Tongkang tablets(44 g/L) were given by intragastric administration to each drug group, and normal control group and model group were given equal volume of pure water by intragastric administration, once a day for 30 consecutive days. Asthma mice models were established by sensitization with ovalbumin(OVA) according to the literature. Asthma models were challenged once a day for 10 consecutive days beginning on the 21st day after administration. The drug groups were given the tested drug 1 hour before the provocation. The content of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and alveolar lavage fluid were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 30 days.
Results
Compared with normal control group, Serum levels of TNF-α in model group statistically were significantly  increased(P＜0.01). Compare with asthma model group, serum levels of TNF-α in Yiqi Guben capsule group and Tongkang tablet group and dexamethasone tablets group were decreased significantly (P＜0.05),serum levels of IL-1β was no statistical significance(P＞0.05). Compare with  normal control group,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in model group were significantly  increased(P＜0.01).Compare with asthma model group,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in Yiqi Guben capsule group and Tongkang tablet group and dexamethasone tablets  were decreased significantly (P＜0.05).
ConclusionYiqi Guben capsule can effectively reduce the levels of TNF-α in serum and TNF-α，IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic mice. It is suggested that it may  treat asthma by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB signal  pathway by reducing the levels of TNF-α，IL-1β in mice.

Key words: Asthma, Yiqi Guben capsule, NF-κB, Airway remodeling, Mice