Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules' effect on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis

Objective: To investigate Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules' effect on ICAM-1(Intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and VCAM-1(Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) expression in nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis. Methods: SD rats (n=64) were immunized by intraperitoneal injection of 200μg Ovalbumin (OVA) (1ml OVA-Al[OH] 3-saline suspension) on 1st, 2ed and eleven day. Normal control group rats A (n=16) were treated with the same methods except injecting OVA. 19th day, 0.1 ml of saline containing 10 mg of OVA was instilled into nasal cavity for 7 consecutive days. Normal control group followed by intranasal administration only with saline. The rats challenged into allergic rhinitis (n=64) were randomly divided into four groups: allergic rhinitis model group B (n=16); Fu zhengzhiqiu Granules treated group C (n=16); Fu zhengzhiqiu Granules treated group D (n=16, three times dosage used in group C); Xinqin Granules treated group E (n=16). All animals were treated for 15 days. The nasal mucosa of them were studied by immunohistochemical staining to observe the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. Results: Animal model of allergic rhinitis was established by using ovalbumin intraperitoneal immunization and nasal challenge. The number of positive immunoreactive cells (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) was increased significantly in all the groups compared with normal controls. VCAM-1 expression was inhibited by giving with Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules (especially in group D) and Xinqin Granules (P0.05), No significant differences in the expression of ICAM-1 were noted in the four groups (P0.05). Conclusion: Fuzhengzhiqiu Granules can decrease the expression of VCAM-1 in nasal mucosa of experimental allergic rhinitis, but no effect on ICAM-1.