Abstract

The Effects of Gamichunggumgangwha-tang(加味淸金降火湯) and Gamiyukmigiwhang-tang(加味六味地黃湯) on Immune Cell & Serum OA-specific IgE in BALF in a Rat Asthma ModelBackground : Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder under immunological influence. Gamichunggumgangwha-tang(CG) and Gamiyukmigiwhang-tang(YM) are herbal recipes for asthma from traditional herbal medicine.Objective : The effect of CG and YM on immune cell & serum OA-specific IgE in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in a rat asthma model is evaluated.Material and Methods : Rats were sensitized with OA; At day 1 sensitized group and CG and YM groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1㎎ OA and 300㎎ of Al(OH)3 in a total volume of 2㎖. At the same time, 1㎖ of 0.9% saline containing 6 109 B. pertussis bacilli was injected by i.p. 14 days. After the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9％ saline aerosol containing 2％(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BALF was collected from the rats. Rats were orally administered with each of CG and YM extract for 14 days since the day after local immunization. Lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell CD8+T cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, CD4+T cell CD8+T cell percentages in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated.Results : CG and YM showed an alleviating effect on asthmatic responses of rat. CG decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+T cell in BALF, serum OA-specific IgE level as compared with the control group. YM decreased lymphocyte as compared with the control group. CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF from CG and YM group and serum OA-specific IgE level from YM group didn't show any significant variation from control group. Conclusion : CG alleviated asthmatic hyperreactivity of immune system through CD4+ T cell and serum IgE. Further the study of immune system modulating mechanism is expected.──────────────────