title: A nebulized complex traditional Chinese medicine inhibits Histamine and IL-4 production by ovalbumin in guinea pigs and can stabilize mast cells in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional Chinese medicines have been used for anti-asthma treatment for several centuries in many Asian countries, and have been shown to effectively relieve symptoms. Our previous study demonstrated that a complex traditional Chinese medicine (CTCM) administered in nebulized form through the intratracheal route is effective against early-phase air-flow obstruction and can inhibit IL-5 production in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. However, the antiasthmatic mechanisms of CTCMs are still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of a CTCM that we used in our previous study in order to ascertain its function in the early-phase response to OVA challenge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the inhibition of bronchoconstriction by the CTCM was attenuated by pretreatment with propranolol, suggesting that the CTCM has a bronchodilator effect that is associated with beta-adrenergic receptor. Our results also showed that the CTCM inhibited histamine and IL-4 secretion in the OVA-induced airway hypersensitivity in guinea pigs at 5 min post-OVA challenge, and in vitro study revealed that the CTCM is able to stabilize mast cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, our results suggested that the CTCM is a kind of bronchodilator and also a mast cell stabilizer. Our findings provide useful information regarding the possible mechanism of the CTCM, and show its potential for application in the treatment of allergenic airway disease.
authors.forename: Hung-Chou
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Chi-Lim
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Oi-Tong
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Mak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010047:Ovalbumin; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C090832:sho-seiryu-to; D015847:Interleukin-4; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin