Effects of Hubakmawhang-tang on Asthma Model Mice Induced by Ovalbumin

Abstract

Hubakmawhang-tang (HMT), listed in Geumgweyoryak, is an oriental medicine used for the symptoms of asthma, such as cough and dyspnea. In this study, we investigated the HMT effects on ovalbumin-induced asthmatic in mice. We examined weight changes, airway hyperresponsiveness, histopathological abnormalities, immune cell infiltrations, immunoglobulin and inflammatory cytokine levels, and spleen body weight ratios in asthmatic mice. HMT inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness, immune cell infiltration, and airway remodeling and caused a significant lowering of serum IgE and IgG1 levels. The asthmatic mice had elevated IL-4 levels in lung tissue and this elevation was effectively prevented by HMT. HMT did not cause changes in body weight or in the spleen body weight ratio. Therefore, HMT might have an anti-asthmatic effect in the ovalbumin-induced mouse model.