• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.973-979
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• 2006

Cordyceps sinensis has been clinically used for the treatment of recovering fatigue, promoting the production of body fluid and qi, resolving sputum and arresting cough. Recent studies showed that Cordyceps sinensis produced immune-modulatory, anticarcinogenic and antioxidative effects. But, there are lack of studies regarding the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on the asthma. So, this study was performed to investigate the oral administrated effects of this herb against the disease. Asthma was induced to Balb/c mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin, and the change of the eosinophil number in the bronchoalveolar avage fluid(BALF) was observed. Concentrations of Interleukine-4(IL-4), Interleukine-5(IL-5) in BALF and splenocyte were assessed by ELISA, ImmunoglobinG(IgG) and ImmunoglobinE(IgE) from serum were calculated by same method. We found that the effects of Cordyceps sinensis in asthma mouse was implicated in reductions of IL-4, IL-S released from type2 T helper (Th2) cell, and decreases of IgE from plasma cell. These findings suggest that Cordyceps sinensis can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may play a role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.244-251
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• 2003

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway and the prevalence rate is increasing. As the burden of asthma to the society is significant due to the increasing hospital admissions and emergency visits, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI, USA) and World Health Organization (WHO) have developed comprehensive guidelines to help clinicians and patients make appropriate decisions about asthma care. The aim of study was to analyze the pattern of asthma prescriptions based on the national asthma guidelines for the patients visiting primary health care providers. Prescription data for asthma were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance claims database of January 2002. Ten percent of the primary health care providers were sampled based on their specialty areas, and 20％ of the claim cases were randomly chosen. Study results showed that prescription rate for oral beta-2 agonists was 44.3％, and that for oral theophylline was 46.9％. Oral steroids were prescribed for the 28.2％ of the claims. Utilization of inhalers was low for both bronchodilators (20.3％, beta-2 agonists inhalers), and steroids (8.4％ steroids inhalers). Bronchodilators were more preferred to the longterm anti-inflammatory controllers among the primary health care providers. Prescription rate for antibiotics was 46.0％ for asthmatic patients. Also gastrointestinal drugs were prescribed for 59.0％, antitussives 65.3％, antihistamines 25.3％ and analgesics 29.4％, respectively. This study presented that the prescribing pattern of the primary health care providers for the asthma was quite different from the national and international guidelines. More efforts need to be made to reduce the gap between the present pattern of asthma prescription and the guidelines.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 1987

In order to investigate experimentally the clinical effects of Chungsimjeongchun-Tang that have been widely used for cardiac asthma, dyspnea and coughs secondary to the appoplexy and cardiac diseases, the water extract of Chungsimjeongchun-Tang was conducted to the effects on the anti-histamine action and respiratory system in mice, guinea-pigs, rabbits and cats. The following results of Chungsimieongchun-Tang were obtained. Spontaneous motility of the isolated ileum of mice and rabbits was strongly suppressed and contractions of the isolated ileum of mice and guinea-pigs induced by acetylcholine chloride, barium chloride and histamine were remarkably inhibited. Anti-histamine action was noted. Antitussive action on the mechanically irritative cough in cats was recognized. Expectorant action on the leakage of dye in the respiratory tract of rabbits was also shown.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2005

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of Oldenlandiae Diffusae Herba (ODH) on eosinophil, immunoglobulin-E and interleukin-4 in the experimental asthma induced by ovalbumin. Methods : Asthma was induced to Balb/c mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin. It was observed the change of the eosinophil number in the BALF. And, it was observed the change of the concentrations of IL-4 in BALF and splenocyte, IgE in serum by ELISA. Results : 1. The number of eosinophil in BALF was significantly decreased in ODH group copared with control group. 2. Concentration of IL-4 in serum, BALF and splenocyte was significantly decreased in ODH group compared with control group, respectively. 3. Level of IgE in serum was significantly decreased in ODH group compared with control group. Conclusion : We found that the effect of ODH extract in asthma was implicated in reductions of IL-4 released from Th2 cell, and decreases of IgE from plasma cell. These findings suggest that ODH extract can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may playa role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2019

Allergic asthma, is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airway presenting with airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. T helper cells-derived cytokines are critically associated with asthma pathogenesis. Janus kinase-signal transduction and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling is found to be involved in asthma. Magnolol is a plant-derived bioactive compound with several pharmacological effects. The study aimed to assess the effects of magnolol in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Magnolol (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight) was administered to separate groups of animals. Dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Cellular infiltration into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced on magnolol treatment. The levels of Th2 and Th17 cytokines were reduced with noticeably raised levels of interferon gamma. Lung function was improved effectively along with restoration of bronchial tissue architecture. OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum and BALF were decreased by magnolol. Magnolol reduced Th17 cell population and effectively modulated the JAK-STAT and Notch 1 signaling. The results suggest the promising use of magnolol in therapy for allergic asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1159-1165
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• 2006

This study was done to investigate the effects of Gamisojaganggi-tang(GSGT) on immunopathologic changes in OVA-induced asthma model of mice. Pathologic indicators associated with this immune disease, which include cytokines, the number of immune-cells, immunoglobin E (IgE), were examined, and histological changes of bronchial tissues were also examined. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the lung weight compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the number of total cells in BALF compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the number of eosinophil in BALF compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT insignificantly increased the number of monocyte in BALF compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the number of lymphocyte in BAL compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the gene expression of eotaxin in lung tissue compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT insignificantly reduced the IL-4 and IL-5 production in BALF compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT insignificantly reduced the levels of total IgE and ovalbumin-specific IgE in BALF. The administration of GSGT significantly reduced the levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE whereas the serum levels of total IgE were insignificantly reduced compared with control mice of OVA-induced asthma model. The administration of GSGT moderately reduced bronchial alveolar narrowing, bronchiovascular edema and increase in the size of alveolar space, which shown in control mice of OVA-induced asthma model, in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, GSGT reduced invasion of inflammatory cells, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in bronchial tissue. These results suggested that GSGT has suppressive effects on pathologic changes associated with disease progression in asthma through the modulation of immune system. GSGT has potential to use as an anti-asthmatic agents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2009

Objectives : It has been recently shown that Piperis Longi Fructus (PLF) is involved in the reduction of eosinophil recruitment and production of Th2 cytokines in vivo. However, the main therapeutic mechanisms of PLF remains a matter of considerable debate. To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of PLF, we examined the influence of PLF on regulatory T cells number, IgE, histamine production in vivo and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in vitro. Methods : All mice were immunized on two different days (21 days and 7 days before inhalational exposure) by i.p. injections of 0.2 $m\ell$ alum-precipitated Ag containing 100 ${\mu}g$ of OVA bound to 4 mg of aluminum hydroxide in PBS. Seven days after the second sensitization, mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 min/day on 3 days/week for 12 weeks(at a flow rate of 250 L/min, 2.5％ ovalbumin in normal saline) and PLF (150 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Splenocytes from C57BL/6 mice at 8 weeks of age were stimulated with anti-CD3 (1 mg/ml) plus anti-CD28 (1 mg/ml) antibody for 48hrs. IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA Results : The suppressive effects of PLF on asthma model were demonstrated by the increase the number of regulatory T cells and by reducing IgE, histamine production in vivo and modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. Conclusions : These results indicate that PLF has a deep inhibitory effects on asthma model mice by increase the number of regulatory T cells, and by reducing IgE, histamine production.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

For the past three decades, more than a thousand of genetic studies have been performed to find out the genetic variants responsible for the risk of asthma. Until now, all of the discovered single nucleotide polymorphisms have explained genetic effects less than initially expected. Thus, clarification of environmental factors has been brought up to overcome the 'missing' heritability. The most exciting solution is epigenesis because it intervenes at the junction between the genome and the environment. Epigenesis is an alteration of genetic expression without changes of DNA sequence caused by environmental factors such as nutrients, allergens, cigarette smoke, air pollutants, use of drugs and infectious agents during pre- and post-natal periods and even in adulthood. Three major forms of epigenesis are composed of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and specific microRNA. Recently, several studies have been published on epigenesis in asthma and allergy as a powerful tool for research of genetic heritability in asthma albeit epigenetic changes are at the starting point to obtain the data on specific phenotypes of asthma. In this presentation, we mainly review the potential role of DNA CpG methylation in the risk of asthma and its sub-phenotypes including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory exacerbated respiratory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2012

Objectives : In the theory of Korean medicine, Pear has long been considered to protect throat, bronchus and lung. Pear has been believed to remove sputum in Korean people. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pear ethanol extract (PEE) on asthma induced by ovalbumin in mice. Methods : We investigated the effects of PEE on airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, production levels of ovalbumin (OVA) specific total immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, IgG2a and IgE in serum and histopathological changes of lung tissues in asthamtic mice. Results : PEE decreased airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine significantly compared to non-treated asthmatic mice (P<0.05). Level of OVA specific IgE in serum was lowered by oral administration of PEE effectively (P<0.05). In histopathological observation, administration of PEE reduced infiltration of immune cells into lung tissue. Conclusion : These results suggest that pear has anti-asthmaitc action and related mechanims are involved in anti-inflammatory action such as reducing level of OVA specific IgE and immune cell infiltration.