Mechanism of modified Yupingfeng naristillae in protecting the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier during allergic rhinitis

Objectives. - Modified Yupingfeng naristillae (MYN) is an intranasal traditional Chinese medicinal preparation used to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) by repairing the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier. In this study, the mechanism underlying the effect of MYN was explored to provide a scientific reference for the development and application of new Chinese medicines. Methods. - Rat models of AR were randomly divided into the normal, AR and MYN groups. After 14 days of intervention, nasal mucosae were collected for histopathological examination. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect claudin-1 mRNA and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA. Results. - (1) MYN could improve the swelling, shedding and gap enlargement of the nasal mucosal epithelium and promote the expression of claudin-1 mRNA (P < 0.05). However, it did not show a significant regulatory effect on ZO-1 mRNA (P> 0.05). (2) MYN could significantly inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration and eosinophil numbers in the nasal mucosa. Conclusions. - MYN repairs the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier by upregulating the transcription of claudin-1 and reduces nasal inflammatory infiltration. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.