Protective effects of bioactive components targeting β2-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic-3 acetylcholine receptor in Zhisou San on ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.

One promising approach to overcome drug resistance in asthma treatments involves dual-target therapy, specifically targeting the β2 adrenergic receptor (β ₂ -AR) and muscarinic-3 acetylcholine receptor (M ₃ R). This study investigated the anti-asthma effects and dual-target mechanisms of glycyrrhizic acid, hesperidin, and platycodin D (GHP) from Zhisou San. GHP administration effectively attenuated OVA-induced inflammatory infiltration and overproduction of mucus in asthmatic mice. Additionally, GHP treatment significantly suppressed M ₃ R and promoted β ₂ -AR activation, resulting in the relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle. These findings concluded that GHP mitigated asthma by targeting β ₂ -AR and M ₃ R to ameliorate airway inflammation and modulate airway smooth muscle relaxation.