Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential alleviation effect of Cang'erzi powder on inflammation in a mice model of allergic rhinitis through modulation of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. The allergic rhinitis mouse model was established via ovalbumin induction. The mice were divided into groups; phosphate buffer saline group, ovalbumin group, ovalbumin+low-dose Cang'erzi powder group, ovalbumin+high-dose Cang'erzi powder group, and ovalbumin+dexamethasone group. The number of sneezing and nasal scratching episodes was recorded. Histopathological examination of the nasal mucosa was performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stressrelated markers were quantified using specific assay kits. Protein levels of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-kappa B in the nasal mucosa were determined using Western blot analysis. In the allergic rhinitis mouse model, Cang'erzi powder administration significantly reduced the number of ovalbumin induced sneezing and nasal scratching episodes. Furthermore, Cang'erzi powder treatment effectively attenuated the ovalbumin induced secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, including toll-like receptor 4 and interleukin-5. Notably, Cang'erzi powder also demonstrated antioxidant effects by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase, while enhancing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Additionally, Cang'erzi powder treatment led to a reduction in the protein levels of tolllike receptor 4 and nuclear factor-kappa B in the nasal mucosa. These findings indicate that Cang'erzi powder possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate inflammation in allergic rhinitis mice by modulating the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. Thus, Cang'erzi powder may hold promise as a potential therapeutic agent for the management of allergic rhinitis and warrants further investigation for its clinical application in inflammatory disorders.