title: Prevention of allergic airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in mice by Astragaliradix antiasthmatic decoction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Astragali radix Antiasthmatic Decoction (AAD), a traditional Chinese medication, is found effective in treating allergic diseases and chronic cough. The purpose of this study is to determine whether this medication could suppress allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and remodeling in mice, and its possible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mouse model of chronic asthma was used to investigate the effects of AAD on the airway lesions. Mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), and the extent of AHR and airway remodeling were characterized. Cells and cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAD treatment effectively decreased OVA-induced AHR, eosinophilic airway inflammation, and collagen deposition around the airway. It significantly reduced the levels of IL-13 and TGF-β1, but exerted inconsiderable effect on INF-γ and IL-10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAD greatly improves the symptoms of allergic airway remodeling probably through inhibition of Th2 cytokines and TGF-β1.
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Bao-Ping
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Lan-Hong
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Li-Xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Zhi-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Medicine, 88 Jiefang Rd,, Hangzhou 310009, China. huahaoshen@163.com.
authors.forename: Hua-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018793:Interleukin-13; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016753:Interleukin-10