Total Glucosides of Peony Affects Immunologic Contact Urticaria Mouse Progression by Improving Immunologic Contact Urticaria-Mediated Decline in Gastrointestinal Function

Abstract

Background: Total peony glucoside (TGP), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to regulate immune response and inflammation, and is often used to treat immunological diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TGP in the treatment of immunocontact urticaria. Methods: The ICU mouse model was established and TGP was administered. The mice were then evaluated for frequency of scratching behavior and number of air masses, gastric motility, gastric emptying, intestinal transport, and colonic transport. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the pathological changes of vascular endothelial tissues in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of histamine, immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of the mice. Western blot was used to detect the expression level of c-Kit protein. Results: In contrast, the frequency of scratching behavior and the number of wheals were significantly increased in ICU mice and showed damage to vascular endothelial tissue. Serum histamine, IgE, IL-4, IFN-γ, MDA levels and c-Kit protein expression were significantly increased in ICU mice, and SOD levels, gastric motility, gastric emptying, and intestinal and colon transport abilities were decreased. In addition, TGP treatment significantly increased the expression levels of histamine, IgE, IL-4, IFN-γ, and c-Kit proteins in ICU mice and boosted their SOD levels, gastric motility, gastric emptying, intestinal and colonic transport functions in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: TGP treatment significantly improves gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in ICU mice. This study may offer new insights into ICU treatment.