title: Ma Huang Tang ameliorates asthma though modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines and inhibition of Th17 cells in ovalbumin-sensitized mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra decoction, MHT) is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  An asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA)-induction in mice. A total of forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to six experimental groups: control, model, dexamethasone (2 mg·kg(-1)) and MHT (5, 10, and 20 mg·kg(-1)). Airway resistance (Raw) was measured by the forced oscillation technique, histological studies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Th1/Th2 and Th17 cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Th17 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated that MHT inhibited OVA-induced increases in Raw and eosinophil count; interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 levels were recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased IFN-γ level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histological studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited Th17 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that MHT may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma, and could be further investigated for potential use as a therapy for patients with allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Chun-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Zhan-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: fuqiang@cpu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: spma@cpu.edu.
authors.forename: Shi-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000009:adverse effects; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010047:Ovalbumin
keywords: Asthma; Ma Huang Tang; Th1/Th2; Th17 cells