title: Effect of Gubenfangxiao decoction on respiratory syncytial virus-induced asthma and expression of asthma susceptibility gene orosomucoid 1-like protein 3 in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of Guben-fangxiao decoction (GBFXD) on respiratory-syncytial-virus (RSV)-induced asthma and the expression of asthma susceptibility gene, orosomucoid 1-like protein 3 (ORMDL3) in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to normal, model, GBFXD high dose, GBFXD moderate dose, GBFXD low dose and montelukast groups. An asthma model was induced via intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA) and repeated intranasal instillation of RSV in all mice, except those in the normal group. All treatments were administered at the first onset of asthma (within 8 weeks of model establishment) and the mice were euthanized after 28 days of treatment. The levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavacie fluid (BALF) of the mice were measured and the expression of asthma susceptibility gene ORMDL3 in lung tissue was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of ORMDL3 and levels of TGF-β and IL-6 were significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) compared with the normal mice. Levels of ORMDL3, TGF-β and IL-6 were significantly lower in all three GBFXD treated groups (P < 0.05) compared with the model group. However, the levels in the GBFXD treatment groups did not differ significantly from the montelukast group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GBFXD had a therapeutic effect in this experimental model. The functional mechanism of GBFXD may involve multiple factors, including alleviation of airway inflammation, down-regulation of asthma susceptibility gene ORMDL3 and inhibition of airway remodeling.
authors.forename: Zhengguang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Lijuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C583840:ORMDL3 protein, mouse