Effects of qufeng xuanfei formula in guinea pig model of airway hyperergy

This work aimed to clarify the potential regulating effects of Qufeng Xuanfei formula (QFXF) on airway neurogenic inflammation and its underlying target signal pathway. Guinea pig model of airway hyperergy (AHR) was used. The relative susceptibility of major proteins to airway neurogenic inflammation was assessed using Western blot immunoassay followed by being separated by SDS-PAGE. Compared to the model group, QFXF of all concentrations effectively depressed the capsaicin enhanced cough in guinea pigs and the peak values of airway resistance significantly decreased. The results illustrated that QFXF alleviated cough symptom in guinea pigs and reduced airway neurogenic inflammation when compared to AHR model group. Airway inflammation and damage, as well as the levels of NGF, SP and c-Fos in QFXF decreased the most in the high-dose group. The mechanism of antitussive activity may be associated with reducing airway inflammation. QFXF displayed effect on chronic cough through reducing the levels of neuropeptides, attenuating airway inflammation and promoting recovery from disease to decrease the airway neuro sensitivity, suggesting that the potential mechanism may be related to Ras/ERK/c-Fos pathway.