The Effects of Maekmoondong-Tang on Cockroach Extract-Induced Allergic Asthma

Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT) has long been used in Asian countries to treat respiratory diseases. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its effects on asthma are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of MMDT in a cockroach allergen (CKA-)induced animal model of allerg...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-12
Main Authors: Bae, Hyunsu, Jung, Heejae, Kim, Gae-Eun, Yeom, Yu Rim, Lee, Kun-young, Jung, Kyung-Hwa, Kwon, Youngjoo, Park, Soojin, Jung, Sungki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergens
Alveoli
Asthma
Bronchus
Eosinophilia
Herbal medicine
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Interleukin 13
Interleukin 4
Interleukin 5
Leukocytes (eosinophilic)
Leukocytes (neutrophilic)
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes T
Macrophages
Mucus
Panax ginseng
Plethysmography
Respiratory diseases
Respiratory tract
Rodents
Staining
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT) has long been used in Asian countries to treat respiratory diseases. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its effects on asthma are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of MMDT in a cockroach allergen (CKA-)induced animal model of allergic asthma. After being challenged with CKA, the number of macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and total cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was evaluated. The Th2 specific cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were also analyzed in BALF along with IgE levels in serum. For histological analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. In addition, airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed by noninvasive plethysmography. The cellular profiles and histopathologic analysis demonstrated that peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrates were significantly decreased in the MMDT-treated groups compared with the cockroach extract-injected (CKA) groups. In addition, the IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels were significantly decreased in the MMDT group. MMDT treatment also significantly attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness. These results demonstrated that MMDT significantly reduced the hallmark signs of asthma: elevated serum IgE, airway eosinophilia, airway remodeling, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness. The remarkable antiasthmatic effects of MMDT suggest its therapeutic potential in allergic asthma treatment.
ISSN:1741-427X
1741-4288
DOI:10.1155/2014/958965