Prevention of allergic airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in mice by Astragaliradix Antiasthmatic decoction

Su Xu,Wen Hua,Bao-Ping Tian,Zhi-Hua Chen,Li-Xia Xia,Hua-Hao Shen,Wen Li,Lan-Hong Zhang

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-369

Abstract

BackgroundAstragali 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsAAD 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.ConclusionsAAD greatly improves the symptoms of allergic airway remodeling probably through inhibition of Th2 cytokines and TGF-β1.

Highlights

Astragali radix Antiasthmatic Decoction (AAD), a traditional Chinese medication, is found effective in treating allergic diseases and chronic cough
AAD prevented airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in chronic OVA-challenged mice To determine whether AAD treatment improves pulmonary function of allergic mice after chronic challenge with OVA, an invasive method was used to determine the levels of AHR in response to Meth
AAD treatment at either dose significantly decreased AHR compared with OVA group in response to Meth at 25 mg/ml (Figure 1), and there were no significant differences between these two groups treated with different doses of AAD

Summary

Introduction

Astragali radix Antiasthmatic Decoction (AAD), a traditional Chinese medication, is found effective in treating allergic diseases and chronic cough. Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease, which is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), chronic pulmonary inflammation with infiltration of eosinophils in lung, and a predominant T helper (Th) 2 immune response. The dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., is a traditional Chinese herb which has been widely used in a variety of medications for more than 2000 years in China. This herb is used as a potent tonic for increasing energy levels and stimulating the immune system by the traditional Chinese doctors, and the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its therapeutic effects have been investigated [7,8]. We have observed that Astragali radix prevented AHR in mice with an inhibition of Th2 response [9], and that Astragali-Cordyceps Mixtura ameliorated asthmatic airway remodeling through modulation of the TGF-β1/ Smad signaling cascade [10]

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