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

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.