Abstract:Objective To provide objective experimental data support for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with Tongbixiaoti granules through animal experiments. Methods A total of 60 SPF SD rats were selected, 10 rats were selected as the normal control group, and the others were randomly divided into model group, clarithromycin tablet group, Tongbixiaoti granule low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. After successful modeling, clarithromycin tablets and Tongbixiaoti granules were administered by gavage for 2 weeks, and the nasal mucosal inflammation was detected by HE staining. The protein and mRNA of PLUNC, Cu/ZnSOD, PACAP, DJ-1, glutathione S-transferase-pi and NKEF-B in nasal mucosa of each group were detected by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression level of NF-κB in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to detect Th1/Th2 levels of Th lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats. t-test was used for statistical analysis to compare the changes of immune indexes before and after medication. Results HE staining and immunohistochemical staining revealed that protective proteins such as PLUNC were expressed in the ciliated columnar epithelium and submucosal glands of the nasal mucosa. RT-PCR test results showed that the epithelia and submucosal glands of the rat nasal mucosa were reactive proliferation after treatment with Tongbixiaoti granules, and the nasal mucosal protective proteins such as PLUNC were increased to resist chronic inflammation. Clarithromycin treatment mainly promoted inflammation resolution, while the production of protective proteins in the nasal mucosa was not significant. ELISA detection of NF-κB expression levels in rat serum suggested that both Tongbixiaoti granules and Clarithromycin tablets could reduce NF-κB levels in the serum of rats with CRS and achieve anti-inflammatory effect. The flow cytometry results showed that both Tongbixiaoti granules and clarithromycin tablets could increase the proportion of Th1 cells and decrease the proportion of Th2 cells, thereby helping to promote inflammation resolution. Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine Tongbixiaoti granules can improve the local immune function of nasal mucosa by increasing the content of PLUNC and other protective proteins in nasal mucosa tissue, and reduce the ratio of serum NF-κB and Th2 cells to promote the remission of inflammation, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of “strengthening the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors”.
