title: Ameliorative effects of Qingfei Tongluo formula on experimental mycoplasmal pneumonia in mice.
abstract: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common disease in children. Qingfei Tongluo formula (QTF) has been used for the treatment of MPP clinically, but the chemical constituents and mechanism involved remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the main chemical constituents and to explore the possible mechanism of action associated with QTF treatment of MPP. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to identify the compounds contained in the QTF extract. A BALB/c mouse model of MP infection was established. After treatment with QTF (0.85 and 1.70 g/kg) for 3 days, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed in lung tissues for histological examination. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used for detecting phosphorylated proteins involved in MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways. In the mouse model, a large amount of pulmonary interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes and plasmacytes were seen as well as bronchus and vasodilation congestion. Following QTF treatment, inflammation was alleviated significantly compared with the model group. Inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor-β1, IL-8, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α] in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were decreased dramatically. In addition, we found that QTF inhibited activation of phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and NF-κB. In conclusion, QTF alleviates MPP inflammation possibly via inhibitory activation of MAPK/NF-κB pathways, which can act as a new agent for MPP treatment.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China.
authors.forename: Yong-hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Institute for TCM Pediatric, Shanghai TCM Academy, Shanghai, 200071, China.
authors.forename: Jian-er
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China.
authors.forename: Ai-hua
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-yan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200126, China. Xiaozhen@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C527174:tongluo
keywords: Mitogen-activated protein kinase; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Nuclear factor-κB; Qingfei Tongluo formula