Shufeng Xingbi Therapy Modulates Th1/Th2 Immunity and Microbiota in Allergic Rhinitis: Insights from a Rat Model

Study Background and Research Question

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa, driven primarily by IgE-mediated immune responses upon allergen exposure. Characterized by paroxysmal sneezing, nasal discharge, itching, and congestion, AR affects over 10% of the global population, significantly impairing quality of life and increasing healthcare burden. The pathogenesis is closely tied to an imbalance between T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) immune responses. Conventional therapies—glucocorticoids, antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists—offer symptomatic relief but are frequently limited by adverse effects, particularly in pediatric populations. A growing body of evidence highlights the gut–lung axis and the influence of microbiota on immune homeostasis, suggesting that modulation of intestinal flora could impact respiratory allergic diseases. Against this backdrop, the study (Yan et al., 2025) addresses whether Shufeng Xingbi Therapy (SFXBT), a traditional Chinese medicine intervention, can restore Th1/Th2 balance and beneficially remodel gut microbiota in an AR rat model.

Key Innovation from the Reference Study

The core innovation lies in the dual focus on both systemic immune regulation and host-microbiome interaction. Unlike most AR studies that emphasize symptomatic control or isolated immune markers, this research employs an integrated approach: it assesses not only inflammation and immune signaling in the nasal mucosa but also characterizes changes in colonic microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. By using SFXBT both orally and nasally, the study explores a traditional therapeutic modality in a rigorous, multi-dimensional framework, setting a precedent for future immunomodulatory and microbiome-targeted AR interventions.

Methods and Experimental Design Insights

The investigators used 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly assigned to four groups: control, OVA-induced AR, antibiotic + SFXBT, and acetic acid + SFXBT. Allergic rhinitis was induced via ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Interventions included SFXBT administration either in combination with antibiotics or acetic acid, modeling both microbiota-depleted and barrier-perturbed conditions. Key assessment methods included:

• Behavioral scoring for AR symptoms.
• Histopathological analysis of nasal mucosa using hematoxylin-eosin staining.
• 16S rDNA sequencing to profile colonic microbial communities.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum IgE, IL-4, and SCFAs.
• RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses for mRNA and protein expression of STAT5, STAT6, and GATA3 in nasal tissue.

This comprehensive phenotyping enabled the dissection of immunological and microbiological correlates of therapy.

Protocol Parameters

• AR induction: Ovalbumin sensitization and challenge protocol, with frequency and dosage matching established AR models.
• SFXBT administration: Oral and topical (nasal drop) delivery; specific dosing regimens tailored to match clinical translation.
• Antibiotic pretreatment: Used to deplete intestinal flora prior to SFXBT intervention, facilitating gut-immune axis assessment.
• 16S rDNA sequencing: Applied to colonic contents for taxonomic profiling at phylum and genus levels.
• ELISA and molecular assays: Timed to capture post-intervention immune and metabolic shifts.

Core Findings and Why They Matter

Compared to the OVA-only group, both the antibiotic + SFXBT and acetic acid + SFXBT cohorts exhibited a significant reduction in AR behavioral scores (P < 0.01), indicating symptomatic improvement. Histologically, inflammatory changes in the nasal mucosa were notably diminished.

Microbiota analysis revealed a marked increase in the fecal abundance of Firmicutes and a reduction in Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. At the genus level, beneficial taxa including Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, Allobaculum, and Dubosiella were significantly enriched. These shifts coincided with elevated colonic SCFA concentrations, molecules known to modulate immune cell function and epithelial integrity.

On the immunological front, serum IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly reduced, while the mRNA and protein expression of STAT5, STAT6, and GATA3 in nasal tissues also decreased (P < 0.05), all pointing toward a normalization of the Th1/Th2 balance. Taken together, the data suggest that SFXBT’s therapeutic effects may be mediated by coordinated modulation of both mucosal immunity and gut microbial ecology, supporting the concept of a gut–lung immunoregulatory axis in AR (Yan et al., 2025).

Comparison with Existing Internal Articles

The interplay between immune modulation and microbiome composition is a recurring theme in contemporary translational research. Several internal articles—such as “Vancomycin in Translational Research: Mechanistic Mastery...” and “Vancomycin: Glycopeptide Antibiotic for MRSA & Microbiome...”—highlight the value of glycopeptide antibiotics like Vancomycin in dissecting host-microbe-immune dynamics. In such studies, Vancomycin is used not only for its antimicrobial action but also as a precision tool to manipulate gut flora, enabling the study of downstream immune effects. This approach aligns with the antibiotic + SFXBT arm of the reference study, where selective microbiota depletion provided a controlled context to test SFXBT’s immunomodulatory capacity. Furthermore, the modulation of the Th1/Th2 axis and its relation to bacterial products mirrors the mechanistic investigations in MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection research discussed in these internal resources.

Limitations and Transferability

While the findings are compelling, several limitations must be considered. The study is based on a rat model, and AR pathophysiology in rodents may not wholly recapitulate human disease complexity. The specific components of SFXBT responsible for the observed effects remain to be elucidated. Additionally, antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion may have off-target effects beyond gut flora disruption. Translation to clinical practice will require validation in human cohorts and mechanistic clarification of how gut microbial alterations shape systemic immune responses. Nonetheless, the use of multi-modal endpoints and integration of microbiome and immune data enhances the study’s value as a preclinical platform.

Research Support Resources

For researchers aiming to model the gut-immune axis or validate microbiome-related immune interventions in AR or related contexts, the use of a glycopeptide antibiotic such as Vancomycin (SKU C6417) can facilitate targeted microbiota depletion. Vancomycin is widely recognized for its well-characterized mechanism—binding to D-Ala-D-Ala termini in peptidoglycan precursors, thereby inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis—making it a preferred antibacterial agent for MRSA research and studies requiring selective modulation of commensal bacteria. According to internal laboratory experience, Vancomycin’s high purity and solubility in DMSO offer workflow reliability in preclinical models. For rigorous experimentation, storage at -20°C and prompt use of prepared solutions are recommended. APExBIO’s Vancomycin supports research applications but is not intended for diagnostic or clinical use.