Effects of the immunomodulatory agent Cordyceps militaris on airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model.
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.
Hsu
Chia-Hsiu
CH
Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Sun
Hai-Lun
HL
Sheu
Ji-Nan
JN
Ku
Min-Sho
MS
Hu
Chun-Ming
CM
Chan
You
Y
Lue
Ko-Huang
KH
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
D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D011239:Prednisolone; C093875:montelukast