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.

BackgroundTraditional Chinese medicines have been used for anti-asthma treatment for several centuries in many Asian countries, and have been shown to effectively relieve symptoms. Our previous study demonstrated that a complex traditional Chinese medicine (CTCM) administered in nebulized form through the intratracheal route is effective against early-phase air-flow obstruction and can inhibit IL-5 production in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. However, the antiasthmatic mechanisms of CTCMs are still unclear.MethodsIn this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of a CTCM that we used in our previous study in order to ascertain its function in the early-phase response to OVA challenge.In each group, 10–12 unsensitized or OVA-sensitized guinea pigs were treated with nebulized CTCM before OVA challenge, and the airway responses of the animals to OVA were recorded. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected 5 min after OVA challenge, and the histamine and IL-4 contents in the BALF were measured. P815 cells (a mouse mast cell line) were untreated or pretreated with CTCM or cromolyn sodium (a mast cell stabilizer), and incubated with Compound 48/80 (mast cell activator) for 9 hr. The levels of histamine and IL-4 released from the cells were quantified.ResultsWe found that the inhibition of bronchoconstriction by the CTCM was attenuated by pretreatment with propranolol, suggesting that the CTCM has a bronchodilator effect that is associated with beta-adrenergic receptor. Our results also showed that the CTCM inhibited histamine and IL-4 secretion in the OVA-induced airway hypersensitivity in guinea pigs at 5 min post-OVA challenge, and in vitro study revealed that the CTCM is able to stabilize mast cells.ConclusionIn conclusion, our results suggested that the CTCM is a kind of bronchodilator and also a mast cell stabilizer. Our findings provide useful information regarding the possible mechanism of the CTCM, and show its potential for application in the treatment of allergenic airway disease.

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Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have a significant social and economic impact on ethnic Chinese patients. Western medicine, especially NSAIDs and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), are standard mainstream therapies for patients with SpA and AS. However, patient compliance with these medications is poor, due to the fear of side effects. In spite of their poor functional status and disease activity, less than 40% of AS patients are regularly treated. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is very popular in Asian countries like China, Korea, Japan, India and Taiwan. A Korean survey in university hospital rheumatology clinics showed that 155 patients (68.5%) reported using at least one form of CAM during the previous 12 months. Herbal remedies and acupuncture were the most frequently used categories of CAM. Compared to conventional Western treatments, CAM is seen to have advantages in terms of a lower incidence of adverse reactions, greater patient choice, psychological comfort, and an increased quality of the patient/therapist relationship. Common symptoms treated by CAM were pain (80%), decreased functioning (43%), and lack of energy (24%). Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Lei Gong Teng), Tetrandrine (Tet), acupuncture and Tai Chi are some examples of potential Chinese medicine treatments for spondyloarthritis. CAM usage is a worldwide trend. However, further study, including basic research and well-designed clinical trials, is warranted. Patients should be instructed to discuss treatment strategies for their disease, and the use of CAM, with their rheumatologists.