Fritillaria cirrhosa, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Lee-Mo-Tang and cyclosporine a inhibit ovalbumin-induced eosinophil accumulation and Th2-mediated bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by excess production of Th2 cytokines and eosinophil accumulation in the lungs. Fritillaria cirrhosa, Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Lee-Mo-Tang are well-known herbs used in oriental medicine for the treatment of asthma and bronchial inflammation. To clarify the anti-asthmatic effects of Fritillaria cirrhosa bulbus, Anemarrhena rhizoma and Lee-Mo-Tang, we examined the development of pulmonary eosinophilic accumulation, control of Th2 cytokine, immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine productions in a murine model of asthma. Eosinophil cell proliferation was performed by [(3)H]thymidine uptake, eosinophilic accumulation. Cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were investigated by means of fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis and control of Th2 cytokine, IgE and histamine productions were investigated by RT-PCR and ELISA. Moreover, lung tissue was histologically analysed. The suppressive effects of Fritillaria cirrhosa bulbus, Anemarrhena rhizoma and Lee-Mo-Tang on eosinophil recruitment and airway inflammation were demonstrated throughout the reduction of eosinophil numbers. This result correlated with a marked reduction IL-5, IL-13 and IL-4 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Ovalbumin-specific IgE levels were also decreased in serum. Fritillaria cirrhosa bulbus, Anemarrhena rhizoma and Lee-Mo-Tang have deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation by suppression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), IgE, histamine production, reduction eosinophilic accumulation and increase of interferon-gamma production.
Yeum
Hyun-Shiek
HS
Department of Herbology, College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, South Korea.
Lee
Young-Cheol
YC
Kim
Seung-Hyung
SH
Roh
Seong-Soo
SS
Lee
Jang-Cheon
JC
Seo
Young-Bae
YB
D031403:Anemarrhena / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D031410:Fritillaria / Q000737:chemistry; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000633:toxicity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007378:Interleukins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006632:Histamine; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016572:Cyclosporine; D010047:Ovalbumin