Effects of Saiboku-to on dual-phase bronchoconstriction in asthmatic guinea pigs

In recent years, bronchial asthma has come to be regarded pathologically as a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. Inhalational ster oids and antiinflammatory drugs are recognized as being effective against b ronchial asthma. In this study, the effects of Saiboku-to, a Chinese her ba l (Kampo) formulation, were investigated on asthmatic guinea pigs sensitize d to ovalbumin (OA). Following 7-day administration of Saiboku-to (500 mu g /kg), the late asthmatic response (LAR) to an antigen challenge was found t o be inhibited. The number of eosinophils in fluid obtained by bronchoalveo lar lavage (BAL) 4 h after antigen challenge was decreased while the infilt ration of eosinophils and T-lymphocytes into the lung parenchyma was inhibi ted. These findings suggest that Saiboku-to has the potential to become a u seful drug in the treatment of bronchial asthma. (C)1999 Prous Science. All rights reserved.