The Evaluation of Effective-component Compatibility of Bufei Yishen FormulaⅢ and Components Compatibility in Treating Airway Remodeling of COPD

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major chronic disease, and airway remodeling is an important pathological mechanism. Bufei Yishen formula and effective-component compatibility of Bufei Yishen formula Ⅲ (ECC-BYF Ⅲ) are effective for COPD treatment. ECC-BYF Ⅲ significantly improves airway remodeling of COPD model rats, however, the components compatibility remains to be revealed. Objective To evaluate the effect of ECC-BYFⅢ and components compatibility in treating airway remodeling of COPD based on the COPD rat model. Methods The components of ECC-BYFⅢ were divided into four categories: Buqi, Bushen, Huatan, and Huoxue. The four categories were divide into different groups according to the method of mathematical permutation. The animal experiment were performed during May to September in 2018. 216 SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, ECC-BYF Ⅲ, different components compatibility and aminophylline groups, and 12 rats in each model. From week 1 to week 8, rat model of COPD in stable phase was established by cigarette smoke exposure combined with repeated bacterial infections. The rats were orally gavaged with corresponding drugs from week 9 to week 16. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining technique was used to observe the changes of bronchial wall and airway smooth muscle. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloprotein 12 (MMP-12), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in serum and levels of collagen (COL) -1, COL-3, and MMP-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Region (R) value comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the effect of different component compatibility on airway remodeling in COPD rats. Results ECC-BYFⅢ, different components compatibility and aminophylline weakened the thickness of airway wall, when compared to model group. ECC-BYFⅢ, Buqi Huatan, Fuzheng Huatan, Fuzheng Huoxue, Buqi Quxie and aminophylline significantly decreased the number of airway smooth muscle hyperplasia (P