Fig 2: Ectoine enhances production of secreted mucins in DS mice. (A, C) Representative images of IF staining showing the decreased production of MUC5AC (A) and MUC2 (C) in DS mice (DS+PBS) was recovered by ectoine eye drops (DS+Ect); Scale bars = 50 µm. The stitched images were made because the cornea and conjunctiva in some eyeball sections were too far apart to be captured on the same image. (B, D) IF intensity quantified the alternation of MUC5AC and MUC2 in 3 groups; each circle represents one eye. Data are shown as Mean ± SD, n = 6; the P values are shown in the graph as compared with the DS+PBS group.

Fig 3: Acupuncture alleviates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in an HDM-induced allergic asthma model. A Schematic representation of the experimental timeline for HDM/PBS sensitization and challenge, with acupuncture treatment administered at Dazhui (GV14), Fengmen (BL12), and Feishu (BL13) on designated days. B Illustration of acupoint locations used in the study. GV14 is located in the depression below the spinous process of the C7 vertebra, BL12 is positioned in the foveola laterally between the T2 and T3 vertebrae, and BL13 is found in the foveola laterally between the T3 and T4 vertebrae. C Airway resistance measured in response to increasing doses of methacholine (normalized to baseline). D Dynamic lung compliance assessed in response to increasing methacholine doses (normalized to baseline). E Total and differential counts of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, eosinophils) in BALF. F ELISA analysis of serum IgE levels, including (G) HDM-specific IgE. H Representative H&E-stained lung sections depicting inflammatory changes across different groups. Scale bar = 200 μm. I Quantification of airway inflammation scores based on H&E staining. J PAS staining of lung sections to evaluate goblet cell hyperplasia. Upper scale bar = 200 μm; lower scale bar = 50 μm. K Quantification of the mean goblet cell index from PAS staining. L Representative images of immunohistochemical staining for Muc5ac in lung tissues, highlighting mucus overproduction. Scale bar = 100 μm. M Semi‑quantitative assessment of Muc5ac protein expression in lung tissues. N–O Relative mRNA expression levels of Muc5ac (N) and Muc5b (O) gene in lung tissues. NC: normal control, AS: asthma model, AA: asthma + acupuncture, NA: normal + acupuncture. Data are presented as means ± SEM; n = 5–6 mice/group; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 as indicated. For C and D, ##P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01 compared with NC; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared with AS