Objective: To investigate the intervention effect of Feijin Mixture on airway mucus hypersecretion in mice with cough variant asthma (CVA).Methods: Mice were divided into five groups: control group, model group, low- dose Feijin Mixture group, high - dose Feijin Mixture group, and prednisone group. A CVA mouse model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)₃]. Mice in the control and model groups were administered normal saline by gavage, while mice in the treatment groups received corresponding doses of drugs. Pathological changes in lung tissue were detected by hematoxylin - eosin (HE) staining. Mucin content secreted by tracheal epithelial cells was observed by Alcian blue - periodic acid - Schiff (AB - PAS)staining. Mucin 5AC (Mucin5AC) content in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Tumor necrosis factor - α (TNF - α) levels in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as serum levels of interleukin - 4(IL - 4) and interleukin-8 (IL - 8), were measured by enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in lung tissue was detected by Western blot.Results: Compared with the model group, the Feijin Mixture groups showed reduced bronchial epithelial goblet cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration around the respiratory tract and bronchi and blood vessels, and reduced fibroblast hyperplasia in alveolar walls of the respiratory region. The number of goblet cells, Mucin5AC content, PAS - positive staining area, TNF - α, IL - 4, IL - 8, and p - EGFR/EGFR expression in lung tissue were decreased in the Feijin Mixture groups (P <0.05).Conclusion: Feijin Mixture can reduce the expression of airway mucin - like proteins, alleviate pathological changes and inflammatory responses, thereby effectively intervening in airway mucus hypersecretion through the TNF - α/EGFR pathway.

Feijin Mixture  /  Cough variant asthma  /  Mucin5AC  /  TNF-α/EGFR pathway  /  Airway mucus hypersecretion