Effect of paeoniflorin on acute lung injury induced by influenza A virus in mice. Evidences of its mechanism of action

Paeoniflorin mitigates MMP-12 inflammation in silicosis via Yang-Yin-Qing-Fei Decoction in murine models

BACKGROUND

Silicosis presents a significant clinical challenges and economic burdens, with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emerging as a potential therapeutic avenue. However, the precise effects and mechanisms of TCM in treating silicosis remain uncertain and subject to debate.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to elucidate the therapeutic role and mechanisms of the Yang-Yin-Qing-Fei Decoction (YYQFD) and its key component, paeoniflorin, in silicosis using a murine model.

METHODS

Silicotic mice were treated with YYQFD, pirfenidone (PFD), or paeoniflorin. RAW264.7 cells and mouse lung fibroblasts (MLF) were stimulated with silica, matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), or TGF-β1, followed by treatment with paeoniflorin, PFD, or relevant inhibitors. YYQFD constituents were characterized using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Lung fibrosis severity was assessed via histopathological examination, micro-CT imaging, lung functions, and Western blot analysis. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed to delineate the gene expression profile and target genes modulated by YYQFD in silicosis.

RESULTS

Treatment with YYQFD ameliorated silica-induced lung fibrosis. Transcriptome sequencing identified MMP-12 as a potential common target of YYQFD and PFD. Additionally, a potential pro-inflammatory role of MMP-12, regulated by silica-induced TLR4 signaling pathways, was revealed. Paeoniflorin, one of the most distinctive compounds in YYQFD, attenuated silica-induced MMP-12 increase and its derived inflammatory factors in macrophages through a direct binding effect. Notably, paeoniflorin treatment exerted anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting MMP-12-derived inflammatory factors and TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation in silica-exposed mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores paeoniflorin as one of the most principal bioactive compounds in YYQFD, highlighting its capacity to attenuate lung inflammation driven by macrophage-derived MMP-12 and reduce lung fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro.

Synergistic effect of paeoniflorin combined with luteolin in alleviating Lipopolysaccharides-induced acute lung injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute multifactorial infectious disease caused by trauma, pneumonia, shock and sepsis. Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch, Chishao in Chinese, CS) and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., Lamiaceae, Danshen in Chinese, DS) are common traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). CS-DS herb pair has been widely used to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis in Chinese clinical practice, appearing in a variety of prescriptions. However, it is still unclear for the effect and active ingredients of the herb pair on ALI.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study investigated the effect and active ingredients of CS-DS herb pair and demonstrated the synergistic effect and mechanisms of the active ingredients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells and BALB/c mice were used to establish an ALI model to investigate the effect of CS-DS herb pair on ALI. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to analyze the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of the herb pair. The synergistic effects and mechanisms of active ingredients on ALI were validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

CS-DS herb pair had a synergistic effect on LPS-induced ALI. Based on the network pharmacology, the compounds paeoniflorin and luteolin were screened. Both paeoniflorin and luteolin had good affinity for NF-κB and MAPK by molecular docking. LPS stimulation of RAW264.7 cells resulted in a significant increase in ROS, NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, while the paeoniflorin combined with luteolin significantly reduced their expressions. In the LPS-induced ALI model, the combination also reduced the expression of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, LPS activated the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, whereas the combination decreased the expression of proteins in both pathways.

CONCLUSION

CS-DS herb pair alleviated LPS-induced ALI with the active ingredients paeoniflorin and luteolin, which suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress via regulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Paeoniflorin attenuates particulate matter-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis through activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Particulate matter (PM), the main component of air pollutants, emerges as a research hotspot, especially in the area of respiratory diseases. Paeoniflorin (PAE), known as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, has been reported to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI). However, the effect of PAE on PM-induced ALI and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear yet. In this study, we established the PM-induced ALI model using C57BL/6J mice and BEAS-2B cells to explore the function of PAE. In vivo, mice were intraperitoneally injected with PAE (100 mg/kg) or saline 1 h before instilled with 4 mg/kg PM intratracheally and were euthanized on the third day. For lung tissues, HE staining and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the degree of lung injury, ELISA assay was used to assess inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress level, Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were applied to explore the role of pyroptosis and Nrf2 signaling pathway. In vitro, BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with 100 μM PAE before exposure to 200 μg/ml PM and were collected after 24h for the subsequent experiments. TUNEL staining, ROS staining, and western blotting were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms of PAE on PM-induced ALI. According to the results, PAE can attenuate the degree of PM-induced ALI in mice and reduce PM-induced cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. PAE can relieve PM-induced excessive oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Additionally, PAE can also activate Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of Nrf2 signaling pathway can impair the protective effect of PAE by aggravating oxidative stress and pyroptosis. Our findings demonstrate that PAE can attenuate PM-induced ALI by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, which is mediated by Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Genus Paeonia monoterpene glycosides: A systematic review on their pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Genus Paeonia, which is the main source of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao in Chinese), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao in Chinese) and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi in Chinese), is rich in active pharmaceutical ingredient such as monoterpenoid glycosides (MPGs). MPGs from Paeonia have extensive pharmacological effects, but the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of MPGs has not been comprehensively reviewed.

PURPOSE

MPGs compounds are one of the main chemical components of the genus Paeonia, with a wide variety of compounds and strong pharmacological activities, and the structure of the mother nucleus-pinane skeleton is similar to that of a cage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of MPGs from 2012 to 2023, providing reference direction for the development and utilization of Paeonia resources and preclinical research.

METHODS

Keywords and phrases are widely used in database searches, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and X-Mol to search for citations related to the new compounds, extensive pharmacological research and molecular mechanisms of MPGs compounds of genus Paeonia.

RESULTS

Modern research confirms that MPGs are the main compounds in Paeonia that exert pharmacological effects. MPGs with extensive pharmacological characteristics are mainly concentrated in two categories: paeoniflorin derivatives and albiflflorin derivatives among MPGs, which contains 32 compounds. Among them, 5 components including paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, 6'-O-galloylpaeoniflorin and paeoniflorigenone have been extensively studied, while the other 28 components have only been confirmed to have a certain degree of anti-inflammatory and anticomplementary effects. Studies of pharmacological effects are widely involved in nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, immune system, etc., and some studies have identified clear mechanisms. MPGs exert pharmacological activity through multilateral mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, inhibition of cell apoptosis, regulation of brain gut axis, regulation of gut microbiota and downregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis, etc. CONCLUSION: This systematic review delved into the pharmacological effects and related molecular mechanisms of MPGs. However, there are still some compounds in MPGs whose pharmacological effects and pharmacological mechanisms have not been clarified. In addition, extensive clinical randomized trials are needed to verify the efficacy and dosage of MPGs.

Investigating the effects of Laggera pterodonta on H3N2-Induced inflammatory and immune responses through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation in a mice model

For centuries, Laggera pterodonta (LP), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely employed for treating respiratory infectious diseases; however, the mechanism underlying LP's effectiveness against the influenza A/Aichi/2/1968 virus (H3N2) remains elusive. This study aims to shed light on the mechanism by which LP combats influenza in H3N2-infected mice. First, we conducted quasi-targeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify LP components. Subsequently, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and simulation were conducted to screen candidate targets associated with AKT and NF-κB. In addition, we conducted a series of experiments including qPCR, hematoxylin-eosin staining, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to provide evidence that LP treatment in H3N2-infected mice can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1) while increasing T cells (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and syndecan-1 and secretory IgA expression. This, in turn, aids in the prevention of excessive inflammation and the fortification of immunity, both of which are compromised by H3N2. Finally, we utilized a Western blot assay to confirm that LP indeed inhibits the AKT/NF-κB signaling cascade. Thus, the efficacy of LP serves as a cornerstone in establishing a theoretical foundation for influenza treatment.

A novel flavonol-polysaccharide from Tamarix chinensis alleviates influenza A virus-induced acute lung injury. Evidences for its mechanism of action

BACKGROUND

Tamarix chinensis Lour. is a Chinese medicine used for treating inflammation-related diseases and its crude polysaccharides (MBAP90) exhibited significant anticomplement activities in vitro.

PURPOSE

To obtain anticomplement homogenous polysaccharides from MBAP90 and explore its therapeutic effects and potential mechanism on influenza A virus (IAV)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

METHODS

Anticomplement activity-guided fractionation of the water-soluble crude polysaccharides from the leaves and twigs of T. chinensis were performed by diethylaminoethyl-52 (DEAE-52) cellulose and gel permeation columns to yield a homogeneous polysaccharide MBAP-5, which was further characterized using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-IT-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. In vitro, the anticomplement activity of MBAP-5 through classical pathway was measured using a hemolytic test. The therapeutic effects of MBAP-5 on ALI were evaluated in H1N1-infected mice. H&E staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, and western blot were used to systematically access lung histomorphology, inflammatory cytokines, degree of complement component 3c, 5aR, and 5b-9 (C3c, C5aR, and C5b-9) deposition, and inflammasome signaling pathway protein expressions in lung tissues.

RESULTS

MBAP-5 was a novel flavonol-polysaccharide with the molecular weight (Mw) of 153.6 kDa. Its structure was characterized to process a backbone of →4)-α-D-GlcpA-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3,4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3,4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and →4,6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, as well as branches of α-L-Araf-(1→ and β-D-Galp-(1→. Particularly, O-3 of →3,4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ was substituted by quercetin. In vitro assay showed that MBAP-5 had a potent anticomplement activity with a CH50 value of 102 ± 4 µg/ml. Oral administration of MBAP-5 (50 and 100 mg/kg) effectively attenuated the H1N1-induced pulmonary injury in vivo by reducing pulmonary edema, virus replication, and inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, MBAP-5 inhibited the striking deposition and contents of complement activation products (C3c, C5aR, and C5b-9) in the lung. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) /transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway was constrained by MBAP-5 treatment. In addition, MBAP-5 could suppress activation of the inflammasome pathways, including Nod-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1/12 (caspase-1/12), apoptosis‑associated speck‑like protein (ASC), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel flavonol-polysaccharide MBAP-5 isolated from T. chinensis demonstrated a therapeutic effect against ALI induced by IAV attack. The mechanism might be associated with inhibition of complement system and inflammasome pathways activation.

Xuebijing injection, a Chinese patent medicine, against severe pneumonia: Current research progress and future perspectives

Severe pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases and the leading cause of sepsis and septic shock. Preventing infection, balancing the patient's immune status, and anti-coagulation therapy are all important elements in the treatment of severe pneumonia. As multi-target agents, Xuebijing injection (XBJ) has shown unique advantages in targeting complex conditions and saving the lives of patients with severe pneumonia. This review outlines progress in the understanding of XBJ's anti-inflammatory, endotoxin antagonism, and anticoagulation effects. From the hundreds of publications released over the past few years, the key results from representative clinical studies of XBJ in the treatment of severe pneumonia were selected and summarized. XBJ was observed to effectively suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, counter the effects of endotoxin, and assert an anticoagulation effect in most clinical trials, which are consistent with experimental studies. Collectively, this evidence suggests that XBJ could play an important and expanding role in clinical medicine, especially for sepsis, septic shock and severe pneumonia. Please cite this article as: Zhang M, Zheng R, Liu WJ, Hou JL, Yang YL, Shang HC. Xuebijing injection, a Chinese patent medicine, against severe pneumonia: Current research progress and future perspectives. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 413-422.

Specialized metabolites from plants as a source of new multi-target antiviral drugs: a systematic review

Viral infections have always been the main global health challenge, as several potentially lethal viruses, including the hepatitis virus, herpes virus, and influenza virus, have affected human health for decades. Unfortunately, most licensed antiviral drugs are characterized by many adverse reactions and, in the long-term therapy, also develop viral resistance; for these reasons, researchers have focused their attention on investigating potential antiviral molecules from plants. Natural resources indeed offer a variety of specialized therapeutic metabolites that have been demonstrated to inhibit viral entry into the host cells and replication through the regulation of viral absorption, cell receptor binding, and competition for the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Many active phytochemicals, including flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, etc., have been identified as potential candidates for preventing and treating viral infections. Using a systematic approach, this review summarises the knowledge obtained to date on the in vivo antiviral activity of specialized metabolites extracted from plant matrices by focusing on their mechanism of action.

Potential of glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetinic acids against influenza type A and B viruses: A perspective to develop new anti-influenza compounds and drug delivery systems

Despite the recent dynamic development of medicine, influenza is still a significant epidemiological problem for people around the world. The growing resistance of influenza viruses to currently available antiviral drugs makes it necessary to search for new compounds or drug forms with potential high efficacy against human influenza A and B viruses. One of the methods of obtaining new active compounds is to chemically modify privileged structures occurring in the natural environment. The second solution, that is gaining more and more interest, is the use of modern drug carriers, which significantly improve physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of the transported substances. Molecules known from the earliest times for their numerous therapeutic properties are glycyrrhizinic acid (GA) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GE). Both compounds constitute the main active agents of the licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Leguminosae) root and, according to a number of scientific reports, show antiviral properties against both DNA and RNA viruses. The above information prompted many scientific teams around the world to obtain and test in vitro and/or in vivo new synthetic GA and GE derivatives against influenza A and B viruses. Similarly, in recent years, a significant amount of GA and GE-based drug delivery systems (DDS) such as nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, nanocrystals, and carbon dots has been prepared and tested for antiviral activity, including those against influenza A and B viruses. This work systematizes the attempts undertaken to study the antiviral activity of new GA and GE analogs and modern DDS against clinically significant human influenza viruses, at the same time indicating the directions of their further development.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis Reveal Insights into the Molecular Mechanism of Shengma-Gegen Decoction on Monkeypox

Background: A new viral outbreak caused by monkeypox has appeared after COVID-19. As of yet, no specific drug has been found for its treatment. Shengma-Gegen decoction (SMGGD), a pathogen-eliminating and detoxifying agent composed of four kinds of Chinese herbs, has been demonstrated to be effective against several viruses in China, suggesting that it may be effective in treating monkeypox, however, the precise role and mechanisms are still unknown. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to investigate the monkeypox-specific SMGGD targets. These targets were analyzed via String for protein-to-protein interaction (PPI), followed by identification of hub genes with Cytoscape software. Function enrichment analysis of the hub targets was performed. The interactions between hub targets and corresponding ligands were validated via molecular docking. Results: Through screening and analysis, a total of 94 active components and 8 hub targets were identified in the TCM-bioactive compound-hub gene network. Molecular docking results showed that the active components of SMGGD have strong binding affinity for their corresponding targets. According to functional analysis, these hub genes are mainly involved in the TNF, AGE-RAGE, IL-17, and MAPK pathways, which are linked to the host inflammatory response to infection and viral replication. Therefore, SMGGD might suppress the replication of monkeypox virus through the MAPK signaling pathway while also reducing inflammatory damage caused by viral infection. Conclusion: SMGGD may have positive therapeutic effects on monkeypox by reducing inflammatory damage and limiting virus replication.

Exploring the active ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms of the oral intake formula Huoxiang Suling Shuanghua Decoction on influenza virus type A based on network pharmacology and experimental exploration

Objective

To investigate the active ingredients, underlying anti-influenza virus effects, and mechanisms of Huoxiang Suling Shuanghua Decoction (HSSD).

Materials and methods

The therapeutic effect of HSSD were confirmed through the survival rate experiment of H1N1-infected mice. Then, the HSSD solution and the ingredients absorbed into the blood after treatment with HSSD in rats were identified by UPLC/Q-TOF MS, while the main contents of ingredients were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Next, a systems pharmacology approach incorporating target prediction, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and molecular docking were performed to screen out the active compounds and critical pathways of HSSD in treating influenza. According to prediction results, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of critical targets in H1N1-infected mice lungs.

Results

Huoxiang Suling Shuanghua Decoction improved the survival rate of H1N1-infected mice and prolonged the mice’s lifespan. Besides, HSSD exerts an antivirus effect by decreasing the levels of hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) to inhibit the replication and proliferation of H1N1, reducing the lung pathological state, inhibiting the cell apoptosis in the lung, and regulating the abnormal responses of peripheral blood, including GRA, LYM, white blood cell (WBC), PLT, and hemoglobin (HGB). Then, 87 compounds in the HSSD solution and 20 ingredients absorbed into the blood after treatment with HSSD were identified. Based on this, combined with the network analysis and previous research on antivirus, 16 compounds were screened out as the active components. Moreover, 16 potential targets were predicted by network pharmacology analysis. Next, molecular docking results showed stable binding modes between compounds and targets. Furthermore, experimental validation results indicated that HSSD regulates the contents of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum, modulating the levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and IP-10 in the lung tissue, and significantly decreasing the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, CD14, MyD88, NF-κB p65, HIF1 α, VEGF, IL17A, and IL6 in the lung tissue.

Conclusion

Huoxiang Suling Shuanghua Decoction exerts an anti-influenza effect by affecting the expressions of mRNA and protein including TLR4, CD14, MyD88, NF-kB p65, HIF-1α, VEGF, IL17A, IL6, and inhibiting the accumulation of inflammation. Our study provided experimental pieces of evidence about the practical application of HSSD in treating influenza.

Pharmacologic therapies of ARDS: From natural herb to nanomedicine

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common critical illness in respiratory care units with a huge public health burden. Despite tremendous advances in the prevention and treatment of ARDS, it remains the main cause of intensive care unit (ICU) management, and the mortality rate of ARDS remains unacceptably high. The poor performance of ARDS is closely related to its heterogeneous clinical syndrome caused by complicated pathophysiology. Based on the different pathophysiology phases, drugs, protective mechanical ventilation, conservative fluid therapy, and other treatment have been developed to serve as the ARDS therapeutic methods. In recent years, there has been a rapid development in nanomedicine, in which nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles have been extensively studied in the treatment of ARDS. This study provides an overview of pharmacologic therapies for ARDS, including conventional drugs, natural medicine therapy, and nanomedicine. Particularly, we discuss the unique mechanism and strength of nanomedicine which may provide great promises in treating ARDS in the future.

Kampo Medicine Promotes Early Recovery From Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Olfactory Dysfunction: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom in patients with coronavirus disease 2019, and it significantly deteriorates patients’ quality of life. Effective treatments remain unknown.

Purpose: To assess the effect of Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine on coronavirus disease 2019-related olfactory dysfunction.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: In total, 87 patients aged ≥18 years with coronavirus disease 2019 and severe dysosmia or anosmia (Numeric Rating Scale, ≥7) at isolation facilities in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, were enrolled from October 2020 to March 2021. Patients were divided into the Kampo group (N = 52) and the control group (N = 35) based on the treatment received. Changes in Numeric Rating Scale scores were evaluated at the first visit and 2 weeks after.

Results: The median reduction in the olfactory dysfunction score at both 1 and 2 weeks after the first visit was significantly greater in the Kampo group (6 and 8, respectively; p = 0.03) than in the control group (3 and 7, respectively; p = 0.04). We defined improvement in olfactory dysfunction as a median reduction in the olfactory dysfunction score of ≥5. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only Kampo treatment was significantly associated with improvement in olfactory dysfunction.

Conclusion: This study suggests that Kampo medication promotes early recovery from coronavirus disease 2019-related olfactory dysfunction.

High-Throughput and Untargeted Metabolic Profiling Revealed the Potential Effect and Mechanisms of Paeoniflorin in Young Asthmatic Rats

Paeoniflorin (PF) is a multi-target monoterpenoid glycoside and possesses broad pharmacological functions, e.g., anti-inflammation, anti-depression, antitumor, abirritation, neuroprotection, antioxidant, and enhancing cognitive and learning ability. PF has gained a large amount of attention for its effect on asthma disease as the growth rate of asthma has increased in recent years. However, its mechanism of action on asthma is still unclear. In this study, we have explored the action mechanism of PF on asthma disease. Furthermore, high-throughput untargeted metabolic profiling was performed through ultraperformance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight high-definition mass spectrometry (QA) UPLC-Q/TOF-MS combined with pattern recognition approaches and pathway analysis. A total of 20 potential biomarkers were discovered by UPLC/MS and urine metabolic profiling. The key pathways including the citrate cycle (the TCA cycle), pyrimidine metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, tyrosine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism were affected by PF. In conclusion, we have discovered metabolite biomarkers and revealed the therapeutic mechanism of PF based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry untargeted metabolomics. The untargeted metabolomics combined with UPLC-MS is a useful tool for exploring the therapeutic mechanism and targets of PF in the treatment of asthma. Metabolomics combined with UPLC-MS is an integrated method to explore the metabolic mechanism of PF in the treatment of asthma rats and to reveal the potential targets, providing theoretical support for the study of the treatment of PF.