Qu Feng Xuan Bi Formula Alleviates Airway Inflammation and Guides Clinical Treatment by Improving Bronchial Immune Balance in the Asthma Model

Abstract

Network pharmacology analysis has shown that Qu Feng Xuan Bi Formula (QFXBF) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat bronchial asthma, with demonstrated remarkable effects; however, its effects on airway inflammation and bronchial asthma alleviation remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of QFXBF by assessing toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9) and the downstream MAPK signaling pathway as well as the immune modulation of the Th1/Th2 balance. The results showed that the aqueous extract of QFXBF increased TLR-9 expression, regulated the downstream genes AP-1, JNK, and ERK1/2, and reduced serum IL-5 levels in the high-dose QFXBF group; meanwhile, following QFXBF treatment, IFN-γ and TNF-α levels were increased, indicating that the Th1/Th2 immune balance was reversed as predicted. These findings provide a mechanism underlying QFXBF’s effects, which significantly improves the treatment and management of patients with bronchial asthma and profoundly impacts medical information processing.