August 1, 2025

Investigating the Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Oroxylum indicum Aqueous Extract on Allergic Asthma Based on Ultra‐High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole–Orbitrap–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Network Pharmacology, and in vivo Experiments

Key Points

OI‐AE significantly reduced leukocyte and eosinophil counts, improving asthma symptoms.
In vivo experiments showed OI‐AE lowered immunoglobulin E and inflammatory cytokines, indicating effective therapy.
The study combined UHPLC–Q–Orbitrap–MS/MS with network pharmacology to identify key therapeutic targets.
These findings support OI‐AE's potential for further clinical applications in asthma treatment.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study systematically explored the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of Oroxylum indicum aqueous extract (OI‐AE) in ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic asthma, utilizing a multifaceted approach that integrated ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole–Orbitrap–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–Q–Orbitrap–MS/MS), network pharmacology, and extensive in vivo validation. Phytochemical analysis identified 19 bioactive constituents, including key flavonoids baicalein and chrysin. Network pharmacology established a “compound‐target‐disease” interaction network, identifying protein kinase B alpha (AKT1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as primary therapeutic targets, with the PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway identified as a key regulatory mechanism. In vivo experiments, involving 60 Balb/c mice randomized into six groups—control (CON), OVA‐induced model (OVA), dexamethasone (DEX, 0.05 mg/kg), and low/medium/high‐dose OI‐AE groups (OI‐AE‐L/M/H, 0.1/0.4/0.8 g/kg)—demonstrated that OI‐AE significantly reduced leukocyte, neutrophil, and eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), increased thymus index, and decreased spleen index. Additionally, it mitigated lung inflammation, fibrosis, collagen deposition, and mucus secretion; lowered serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5, and IL‐13; and reduced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels in BALF. Conversely, OI‐AE elevated interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) levels in BALF, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and downregulated PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. These findings indicate that OI‐AE exerts therapeutic effects on OVA‐induced asthma, likely through modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, providing a promising foundation for future research and clinical applications in respiratory diseases.

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