Huatanhuoxue decoction alleviates airway inflammation by regulating IL-17A signaling pathway in obese asthmatic mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huatanhuoxue Decoction (HTHX) is a traditional Chinese formula consisting of nine herbs. It is used to improve obesity-related asthma symptoms and reduce airway inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To study HTHX effects on airway inflammation in obese asthmatic mice via the IL-17 A signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to predict the bioactive ingredients in HTHX. Subsequently, an obese asthma model was established by high-fat diet feeding and exposure to house dust mite. The effects of HTHX on obesity-related asthma progression were investigated using histopathological examinations, airway hyperresponsiveness determinations, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The mechanism of action of HTHX was confirmed by Western blots, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses.

RESULTS

HTHX alleviated the development in obese asthma mice by improving the pathological condition of lung tissue, airway hyperresponsiveness, and inflammatory factors. Network pharmacology identified the involvement of the IL-17 signaling pathway. HTHX decreased the production of neutrophils and the expression of NETs in lung tissue. HTHX also reduced group 3 innate lymphoid cells and Th17 cells, which are responsible for producing IL-17 A. The production of IL-17 A-related protein was also suppressed. The results indicate that HTHX inhibited the excessive activation of the IL-17 A signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

HTHX alleviated airway inflammation by regulating the IL-17 A signaling pathway in obese asthmatic mice.