Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the changes of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ),
interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in allergic rhinitis model rats after using the traditional Chinese nose
sensitive pill (NSP) and its possible mechanism to treat allergic rhinitis. Forty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly
divided into 4 groups of 10 rats each i.e. blank control group, model group, nose sensitive pill group and loratadine
group. Allergic rhinitis was induced in all three groups (except blank control group) using ovalbumin as allergen. After
successful induction of allergic rhinitis, intragastric administration of 0.9% NaCl solution, NSP or loratadine solution
was carried-out, respectively. The behavior of rats was observed before administration and then after 1, 3 and 5 weeks.
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of 4 cytokines in each group after 5 weeks.
After 5 weeks study period, nasal symptoms of NSP group and loratadine group were significantly (P<0.01) lower than
those of model group. Compared with blank control group, levels of IL-4 and IL-17 in model group increased, and levels
of IFN- γ and IL-10 decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with model group, levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 increased
but levels of IL-4 and IL-17 decreased significantly (P<0.01) in NSP and loratadine group. On the basis of findings of
this study, NSP is an effective prescription to treat allergic rhinitis. One of its therapeutic mechanisms is to regulate
balance between Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells by influencing the levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-10.
