title: Effects of the immunomodulatory agent Cordyceps militaris on airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cordyceps militaris is a well-known fungus with immunomodulatory activity. It is generally used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat hemoptysis, bronchial or lung inflammation, and urogenital disorders. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of cultivated C. militaris on airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model.
  
  
  METHODS
  BALB/c mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) on Days 0 and 14, and were then given intranasal OVA on Day 14 and Days 25-27. Randomized treatment groups of sensitized mice were administered C. militaris, prednisolone, montelukast, or placebo by gavage from Days 15-27. Airway hyperreactivity to aerosolized methacholine was determined. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were analyzed to assess airway inflammation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OVA-sensitized mice developed a significant airway inflammatory response that was inhibited by prednisolone and montelukast, whilst C. militaris reduced airway inflammation less effectively. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine was observed in OVA-sensitized mice and was reversed by both prednisolone and montelukast. C. militaris initially reversed airway hyperreactivity, but this effect disappeared at higher methacholine doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C. militaris can modulate airway inflammation in asthma, but it is less effective than prednisolone or montelukast. These results demonstrate that C. militaris is unable to adequately block the potent mediators of asthmatic airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hsiu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hai-Lun
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ji-Nan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: Min-Sho
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: Chun-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: You
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ko-Huang
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lue
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D032661:Cordyceps; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D013440:Sulfides
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D011239:Prednisolone; C093875:montelukast