Danshen injection decrease interleukin-13 and eotaxin expression in the lung of asthmatic rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of inhibitory effect of Danshen injection on allergic airway inflamma-tion of asthma. Methods 30 SD rats were random divided into control group, asthma group and Danshen injection group. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and cytology study was conducted. The lung tissue was obtained and pathologic analysis was done through HE staining, lnterleukin-13 (IL-13) and Eotaxin in lung tissue were measured by RT - PCR and immunohistochemistry SP method. Results Compared with the asthma group, less infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues was observed in the Danshen injection group. Total cell number, the percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils (Eos) in BALF of Danshen injection group were lower than that of asthma group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of IL-13 and eotaxin in lung tissue of asthma group was higher than that of control group and Danshen injection group (P<0.05). The expression of IL-13 was negatively correlated with eotaxin (r=0.90, P< 0.05). Conclusion Danshen injection could suppress airway inflammation of asthmatic rats, which probably be through decreasing the ex-pression of IL-13 and eotaxin in the lung tissue of asthmatic rats. Key words: DANSHEN INJECTION/PD; Asthma; Interleukin-13; Chemotactic factors,eosinophil