Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis
<b>Background:</b> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent allergic disorder characterized by a complex pathogenesis. Drawing on traditional Chinese medicine theory and contemporary pharmacological principles, this study developed an inhalation-based herbal formulation, ZHW, to explore a n...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1059 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849251921491132416 |
|---|---|
| author | Yujin Shen Xi Ma Zhenzhen Du Yang Li Zhinan Mei Ling Zhao |
| author_facet | Yujin Shen Xi Ma Zhenzhen Du Yang Li Zhinan Mei Ling Zhao |
| author_sort | Yujin Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent allergic disorder characterized by a complex pathogenesis. Drawing on traditional Chinese medicine theory and contemporary pharmacological principles, this study developed an inhalation-based herbal formulation, ZHW, to explore a novel non-invasive therapeutic approach. <b>Objective:</b> To investigate the therapeutic effects of ZHW on AR and elucidate its underlying mechanisms and potential targets through an integrated analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The volatile components of ZHW were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mouse model of AR was induced by OVA sensitization. The therapeutic efficacy of ZHW was assessed based on nasal symptom scores, histopathological examination, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms and potential targets of ZHW were investigated through integrated network pharmacology and proteomics analyses. <b>Results:</b> GC-MS analysis identified 39 bioactive compounds in ZHW. Inhalation treatment with ZHW demonstrated significant anti-allergic effects in OVA-sensitized mice, as evidenced by (1) reduced sneezing frequency and nasal rubbing behaviors; (2) decreased serum levels of IL-4, histamine, and OVA-specific IgE; (3) attenuated IL-4 concentrations in both nasal lavage fluid and lung tissue; (4) diminished nasal mucosal thickening; and (5) suppression of inflammatory cell infiltration. Integrated network pharmacology and proteomics analyses indicated that ZHW’s therapeutic effects were mediated through the modulation of multiple pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the B cell receptor signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, and the FcεRI signaling pathway. Key molecular targets involved Rac1, MAPK1, and SYK. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong binding affinities between ZHW’s primary bioactive constituents (linalool, levomenthol, linoleic acid, Linoelaidic acid, and n-Valeric acid cis-3-hexenyl ester) and these target proteins. <b>Conclusions:</b> The herbal formulation ZHW demonstrates significant efficacy in alleviating allergic rhinitis symptoms through multi-target modulation of key signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt- and FcεRI-mediated inflammatory responses. These findings substantiate ZHW’s therapeutic potential as a novel, non-invasive treatment for AR and provide a strong basis for the development of new AR therapies. Future clinical development will require systematic safety evaluation to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83e7955daab64bcbb445c67ebff85321 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj-art-83e7955daab64bcbb445c67ebff853212025-08-20T03:56:46ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-07-01187105910.3390/ph18071059Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic RhinitisYujin Shen0Xi Ma1Zhenzhen Du2Yang Li3Zhinan Mei4Ling Zhao5School of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China<b>Background:</b> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent allergic disorder characterized by a complex pathogenesis. Drawing on traditional Chinese medicine theory and contemporary pharmacological principles, this study developed an inhalation-based herbal formulation, ZHW, to explore a novel non-invasive therapeutic approach. <b>Objective:</b> To investigate the therapeutic effects of ZHW on AR and elucidate its underlying mechanisms and potential targets through an integrated analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The volatile components of ZHW were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mouse model of AR was induced by OVA sensitization. The therapeutic efficacy of ZHW was assessed based on nasal symptom scores, histopathological examination, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms and potential targets of ZHW were investigated through integrated network pharmacology and proteomics analyses. <b>Results:</b> GC-MS analysis identified 39 bioactive compounds in ZHW. Inhalation treatment with ZHW demonstrated significant anti-allergic effects in OVA-sensitized mice, as evidenced by (1) reduced sneezing frequency and nasal rubbing behaviors; (2) decreased serum levels of IL-4, histamine, and OVA-specific IgE; (3) attenuated IL-4 concentrations in both nasal lavage fluid and lung tissue; (4) diminished nasal mucosal thickening; and (5) suppression of inflammatory cell infiltration. Integrated network pharmacology and proteomics analyses indicated that ZHW’s therapeutic effects were mediated through the modulation of multiple pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the B cell receptor signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, and the FcεRI signaling pathway. Key molecular targets involved Rac1, MAPK1, and SYK. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong binding affinities between ZHW’s primary bioactive constituents (linalool, levomenthol, linoleic acid, Linoelaidic acid, and n-Valeric acid cis-3-hexenyl ester) and these target proteins. <b>Conclusions:</b> The herbal formulation ZHW demonstrates significant efficacy in alleviating allergic rhinitis symptoms through multi-target modulation of key signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt- and FcεRI-mediated inflammatory responses. These findings substantiate ZHW’s therapeutic potential as a novel, non-invasive treatment for AR and provide a strong basis for the development of new AR therapies. Future clinical development will require systematic safety evaluation to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1059allergic rhinitisZHWinhalation administrationproteomicsPI3K-AktFcεRI |
| spellingShingle | Yujin Shen Xi Ma Zhenzhen Du Yang Li Zhinan Mei Ling Zhao Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis Pharmaceuticals allergic rhinitis ZHW inhalation administration proteomics PI3K-Akt FcεRI |
| title | Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis |
| title_full | Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis |
| title_fullStr | Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis |
| title_short | Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of the Inhaled Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound ZHW on Allergic Rhinitis |
| title_sort | therapeutic effects and mechanisms of the inhaled traditional chinese medicine compound zhw on allergic rhinitis |
| topic | allergic rhinitis ZHW inhalation administration proteomics PI3K-Akt FcεRI |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1059 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yujinshen therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis AT xima therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis AT zhenzhendu therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis AT yangli therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis AT zhinanmei therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis AT lingzhao therapeuticeffectsandmechanismsoftheinhaledtraditionalchinesemedicinecompoundzhwonallergicrhinitis |