title: Immune-modulatory effects of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQT), an herbal formula of traditional Chinese medicine, has been an effective regimen of allergic diseases for nearly 800 years. Our previous report has demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, and the aim of this study is to investigate the anti-asthmatic effect of BZYQT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female BALB/cByJNarl mice were sensitized with normal saline (control group) or OVA. Mice sensitized by OVA were fed with distilled water (OVA group), oral 0.5 g/Kg (low-dose group) or 1 g/Kg (high-dose group) of BZYQT solution once daily on days 36-40 besides their routine diet. Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), eosinophil infiltration, levels of cytokines and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The lungs and tracheas were removed, and histopathologic examination was subsequently performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AHR was significantly reduced in both low- and high-dose BZYQT groups compared with the OVA group after inhalation of the highest dose of methacholine (50 mg/ml). The levels of eotaxin, Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), IgE, and eosinophil infiltration in BALF were significantly decreased in both BZYQT groups compared with the OVA group. Histopathologic examination revealed that eosinophil infiltration of the lung and trachea tissues was remarkably attenuated in both BZYQT groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral administration of BZYQT solution may exert anti-asthmatic effect by relieving AHR in OVA-sensitized mice, which is compatible with our clinical experience. Although detailed mechanism is to be determined, we surmise that it may be correlated with the immune-modulatory effects of inhibiting Th2 responses on the basis of our limited results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sien-Hung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ting-I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Immunology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bor-Luen
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsing-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuang-Hua
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiun-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C402943:bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin