Therapeutic Effects of Lifei Decoction in a Murine Model of COPD Induced by LPS and Cigarette Smoke

Liguo Lu,1,2 Chengdong Zhu,3 Jian Xu,4 Yulan Hu,2 Juxiang Dai,2 Sheng Wang,2 Tao Wei1,5 1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shuyang Hospital, The Affiliated Shuyang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang Hospital, The Affiliated Shuyang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, People’s Republic of China; 4Taian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Tai An, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 5Public Experimental Research Center, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Tao Wei, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613815303574, Email weitaoxy@126.comIntroduction: The Lifei Decoction (LD) is a commonly utilized Chinese medicine for the treatment of sepsis and bronchial inflammation. However, its therapeutic potential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of LD in a mouse model of COPD induced by cigarette smoke (CS) combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods: Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was employed to observe the pathological alterations in lung tissue, while ELISA was utilized for the detection of levels of inflammatory factors in both lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the expression of p-NF-κB, GDF11, ZO-1, and Occludin-1 proteins. The changes in intestinal flora were evaluated using the viable bacteria count method.Results: The administration of LD demonstrates significant efficacy in mitigating pulmonary tissue damage in a murine model, while concurrently inhibiting the activation of the inflammatory pathway NF-κB to attenuate the levels of pro-inflammatory factors. Moreover, LD exhibits the capacity to enhance the expression of intestinal functional proteins ZO-1 and Occludin-1, thereby rectifying dysbiosis within the gut microbiota.Conclusion: The LD shows great promise as a potential treatment for COPD.Keywords: COPD, lifei decoction, inflammation, intestinal flora