Animal models of allergic rhinitis: current progress and advances in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome models

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, with a rising global prevalence. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in AR, yet the mechanistic understanding of TCM interventions remains incomplete. The development of AR animal models that integrate TCM syndrome characteristics—referred to as disease-syndrome combination models—represents a crucial bridge between TCM theory and clinical application. This systematic review aims to summarize the current landscape of animal models of allergic rhinitis (AR), with particular emphasis on disease–syndrome integrated models based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes. Methods We systematically searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and PubMed for studies on AR animal models and TCM syndrome models published between January 1995 and May 2026. Data were extracted and analyzed regarding animal strains, sensitization protocols, TCM syndrome induction methods, immunological parameters, and model evaluation criteria. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and structured using the PECO framework. Results Among the 470 included studies, 421 investigated conventional AR animal models, whereas 49 established disease–syndrome integrated models incorporating TCM syndrome characteristics. The most commonly used animal models were SD rats (37.02%) and BALB/c mice (37.65%). Ovalbumin (OVA) was the predominant sensitizing allergen (92.97%), while Lung Qi Deficiency (cold) was the most frequently modeled TCM syndrome (34.69%). Syndrome induction methods included tobacco smoke exposure, cold stimulation, bitter-cold herbal gavage, and physical exhaustion. Distinct immunological profiles were observed across syndromes: the Lung Qi Deficiency-Cold pattern was characterized by Th1/Th2 imbalance; the Spleen Qi Deficiency pattern involved gut microbiota dysbiosis and Treg/Th17 imbalance; and the Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern exhibited neuro-endocrine-immune axis suppression. Model evaluation integrated behavioral scoring, immunological assays, histopathological examination, and TCM syndrome-specific phenotyping. Conclusions Current evidence is dominated by conventional AR animal models, whereas disease–syndrome integrated TCM models represent a relatively small but rapidly expanding subset of the literature. Standardization of naturally relevant allergen models, development of objective syndrome-reflective biomarkers, and establishment of a “symptom-immunology-omics” multidimensional evaluation system are urgently needed to enhance the reliability and translational value of TCM syndrome animal models in AR research. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO: CRD420261466344.