Abstract: Objective To study the effects of aerosol inhalation of Tanreqing on animal models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and explore the mechanisms for oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Methods SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive group and high-, medium- and low-dose medication groups（0.12、0.06、0.03 mL·kg^-1）. COPD models were established in each group except the control group. The positive group inhaled budesonide suspension for 20 min while the medication groups inhaled Tanreqing for 20, 10 and 5 min, respectively. After one month, the lung function and histopathology of the animals were observed, and related indexes of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage were detected. Results In the model group, autonomic activities decreased, so did lung compliance, the airway resistance, ROS and MDA increased, SOD and T-AOC decreased, so did mPTP and ATP levels, but Cytc release increased. However, the clinical symptoms of rats in the positive group and in the high-dose and medium-dose groups were relieved, the airway resistance decreased, but lung compliance improved. The levels of ROS and MDA decreased, while those of SOD and T-AOC increased significantly, P<0.01, so did the levels of mPTP and ATP, but the levels of Cytc decreased significantly, P<0.01 or P<0.001. Conclusion Aerosol inhalation of Tanreqing could relieve the symptoms of COPD by intervening in oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, which provides a reference for treatment of COPD with traditional Chinese medicine.

Key words: Tanreqing, Aerosol Inhalation, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Damage, Rats