Research on the ameliorating effect of sugar-free Qiangli Loquat Dew on a guinea pig model of coughs induced by haze
Objective To observe the cough-relieving and phlegm-dispelling effect of sugar-free Qiangli Loquat Dew and explore its mechanisms.Methods The guinea pig citric acid induced cough method and guinea pig haze smog induced chronic cough method were respectively used to observe their general state and record the number of coughs in them.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in trachea and lung tissues.Under microscope,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)cells were classified and counted.The levels of IL-8,TNF-α,SP,Muc5AC,SOD,CAT,MDA,GSH-Px in their lung tissues were detected by ELISA,and its cough-relieving effects and mechanisms were observed.Its phlegm-dispelling effects was studied by the experiment of excretion amount of phenol red in mouse trachea.Results Compared with the model group,the number of coughs in the Suhuang group,the Feilike group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qiangli Loquat Dew were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the antitussive rate was significantly increased(P<0.05),the concentration of phenol red was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the total cell concentration in BALF in the model group was significantly increased,the proportion of eosinophil number and lymphocyte number was increased(P<0.05),the contents of IL8,TNF-α,SP,Muc5AC and MDA in lung tissues were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the total cell concentrations in BALF in the Suhuang group,the Feilike group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qiangli Loquat Dew were decreased to varying degrees,and the proportion of eosinophil number and lymphocyte number was decreased(P<0.05),and the contents of IL-8,TNF-α,SP,Muc5AC,and MDA in lung tissues were all decreased(P<0.05),while the contents of SOD,CAT,GSH-Px were increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Sugar-free Qiangli Loquat Dew can improve the pathological damage of a guinea pig model with chronic coughs induced by haze,reduce airway inflammation,inhibit oxidative stress,enhance the secretion function of the respiratory tract and exert cough-relieving and phlegm-dispelling effects.