[Effect of dongchong xiacao capsule on airway inflammation of asthmatic patients].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of dongchong xiacao capsule on the airway inflammation of asthmatic patients and to explore the relevant mechanism of therapeutic effect of Dongchongxiacao capsule.


METHODS
Sixty patients with moderate persistent asthma were randomized into the treatment group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). Inhaled corticosteroid and as-needed beta-agonist were used in the treatment group while this therapy plus dongchong xiacao capsule were used in the control group for two months. Serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, sICAM-1, MMP-9, IgG, IgE level were assessed at randomization and 2 months after randomization.


RESULTS
The serum level of IgE, sICAM-1, IL-4 and MMP-9 of the treatment group was lowered to a greater degree than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ).


CONCLUSIONS
Dongchong xiacao capsule can reduce the serum markers of airway inflammation, which suggests this therapy bares the anti-inflammation effects probably through regulating the balance of TH1/TH2, inhibiting the activity of adherence molecule and reducing IgE production. It may also have the effect of reversing airway remodeling, which needs further research to determine.
Wang
Ning-qun
NQ
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China. wangningqun@126.com
Jiang
Liang-duo
LD
Zhang
Xiao-mei
XM
Li
Zong-xin
ZX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002214:Capsules; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D002214:Capsules; D008419:Materia Medica; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma