Inhibitory effects of inhaled complex traditional Chinese medicine on early and late asthmatic responses induced by ovalbumin in sensitized guinea pigs

Abstract

BackgroundMany formulae of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used for antiasthma treatment dating back many centuries. There is evidence to suggest that TCMs are effective as a cure for this allergenic disease administered via gastric tubes in animal studies; however, their efficacy, safety and side effects as an asthmatic therapy are still unclear.MethodsIn this study, guinea pigs sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) were used as an animal model for asthma challenge, and the sensitization of animals by bronchial reactivity to methacholine (Mch) and the IgE concentration in the serum after OVA challenge were estimated. Complex traditional Chinese herbs (CTCM) were administered to the animals by nebulization, and the leukocytes were evaluated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).ResultsThe results showed that inhalation of CTCM could abolish the increased lung resistance (13-fold increase) induced by challenge with OVA in the early asthmatic response (EAR), reducing to as low as baseline (1-fold). Moreover, our results indicated higher IgE levels (range, 78-83 ng/ml) in the serum of sensitized guinea pigs than in the unsensitized controls (0.9 ± 0.256 ng/ml). In addition, increased total leukocytes and higher levels of eosinophils and neutrophils were seen 6 hours after challenge, and the increased inflammatory cells were reduced by treatment with CTCM inhalation. The interleukin-5 (IL-5) level in BALF was also reduced by CTCM.ConclusionOur findings indicate a novel method of administering traditional Chinese medicines for asthma treatment in an animal model that may be more effective than traditional methods.

Effects of Ginger and Its Constituents on Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation and Calcium Regulation

“…In human ASM with epithelium removed, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol, but not [10]-gingerol, induced significant relaxation compared with DMSO vehicle control samples and food-grade ginger ( Figure 1B;*P , 0.05, compared with DMSO; $ P , 0.05, compared with food-grade ginger; n ¼ 5-9). All relaxations began within 2 minutes of the addition of the compounds, and the percentage of relaxation achieved from the plateau of AChinduced contraction was calculated at 30 minutes.…”

“…The individual components of ginger, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [10]-gingerol, as well as [6]-shogaol (100 mM), were examined in contractile studies for their ability to relax ASM precontracted with ACh, compared with 50 mg/ml food-grade ginger. In human ASM with epithelium removed, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol, but not [10]-gingerol, induced significant relaxation compared with DMSO vehicle control samples and food-grade ginger ( Figure 1B;*P , 0.05, compared with DMSO; $ P , 0.05, compared with food-grade ginger; n ¼ 5-9).…”

“…Male A/J mice were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of Fatal Plus (10 mg/kg pentobarbital; Vortech Pharmaceuticals, Dearborn, MI), and the mice were mechanically ventilated with an FX1 module (Flexivent; SCIREQ, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Three baseline measurements were performed, followed by pretreatment with either vehicle control (0.1% DMSO in PBS) or 100 mM [8]-gingerol, delivered via a 10-second nebulization. After 15 minutes of default ventilation, murine airway resistance was then measured in response to increasing doses of methacholine (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO).…”

“…As many as 40% of patients with asthma are estimated to use herbal therapies to self-treat their asthma symptoms (6,7). The exact mechanism of action of these agents is unclear, but may involve the attenuation of allergic responses (i.e., IgE concentrations) (8), anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (5), or direct effects on airway smooth muscle (ASM) (9,10). Of note is the use of ginger in alleviating respiratory symptoms, dyspepsia, and gastrointestinal motility disorders (11)(12)(13).…”

“…Previously recognized similarities between gut smooth muscle and ASM, taken together with the anecdotal use of ginger in relieving these symptoms, suggest that ginger and its constituents may exert direct effects on ASM. Furthermore, we hypothesize that purified components of crude ginger, namely, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol, will relax airway smooth muscle and potentially serve as novel bronchodilators.…”