Abstract: Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and anti-inflammatory mechanism of Qihuang Yiqi Shexue Formula in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) model mice. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, high and low dose groups of Qihuang Yiqi Shexue Formula, and the prednisone group, with 10 mice in each. The intraperitoneal injection of guinea pig anti-mouse platelet serum (APS) was used to establish an ITP mouse model. On the 8^th day after the injection of APS, each group was given intragastric administration for 14 consecutive days. The general condition of each group of mice was observed, changes in peripheral blood platelet count (PLT) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were detected, and the Elisa method was used to detect serum levels of thrombopoietin (TPO), pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon-γ(IFN-γ), anti-inflammatory factor IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The spleen and thymus tissues were separated, weighed, and the organ index was calculated. The sternum was taken as a bone marrow smear, and the bone marrow megakaryocytes were classified under a microscope. Results Compared with the normal group, the levels of PLT, Hb, TPO, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the model group significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow plate became significantly smaller (P<0.01), and serum levels of IL-2, IL -6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PLT, TPO, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1in each administration group were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), so was the number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow plate (P<0.01) , but serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose group, the levels of PLT, IL-4 and TGF-β1 were significantly increased in the high dose group and the prednisone group, but TNF-α was significantly decreased (P <0.05 or P <0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in other indicators (P>0.05). Conclusion Qihuang Yiqi Shexue Formula is effective for ITP by regulating the unbalanced secretion of pro-inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors in ITP model mice, increasing the levels of bone marrow-producing megakaryocytes and TPO.

Key words: immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), Qihuang Yiqi Shexue Formula, therapeutic effect, anti-inflammatory mechanism