Effect of a Chinese herbal formula, Shi-Bi-Lin, on an experimental model of allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Jia Wei Cang Er Zi San, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been used to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) for several centuries. However, its effect on experimental animal models and its therapeutic mechanism remain unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of Shu-Bi-Lin, a modified Jia Wei Cang Er Zi San, on an animal model of AR.


METHODS
Shu-Bi-Lin was administered to the guinea pig model of AR. Meanwhile, an antihistamine-treated group for the treatment control, an ovalbumin-sensitized and untreated group for the positive control, and a sham-sensitized, sham-challenged group for the sham control were studied in parallel. Symptomatic and some pathophysiologic variables were evaluated.


RESULTS
Sneezing and nasal scratching after challenges were significantly ameliorated in the Shu-Bi-Lin-treated group compared with the ovalbumin-sensitized and untreated group, but rhinorrhea volume was not reduced. Shu-Bi-Lin significantly suppressed the production of IgG1 in the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. The thromboxane B2 level in nasal lavage fluid was significantly deceased in the Shu-Bi-Lin-treated group; however, the reduction in histamine and peptide leukotriene levels did not reach statistical significance. In addition, eosinophil infiltration and endothelial nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the nasal tissues were reduced in the Shu-Bi-Lin-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Shu-Bi-Lin could alleviate the nasal symptoms of AR, and its mechanism might be related to its inhibitory effect on type I anaphylaxis reactions and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal tissues, as well as the inhibition of some mediators related to AR.
Zhao
Yu
Y
Department of Otolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
van Hasselt
Charlie A
CA
Woo
John K
JK
Chen
George G
GG
Wong
Yeuk O
YO
Wang
Li H
LH
Leung
Ping C
PC
D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000032:analysis; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000494:pharmacology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000032:analysis; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000032:analysis
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015289:Leukotrienes; C503350:Shi-Bi-Lin herbal formula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D017336:Loratadine; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C121345:desloratadine