The Chinese herbal medicine formula MSSM-002 suppresses allergic airway hyperreactivity and modulates T(H)1/T(H)2 responses in a murine model of allergic asthma

Background: Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide, and the morb idity and mortality of asthma have increased in the past two decades. The r eputed efficacy, low cost, and relative absence of side effects of traditio nal Chinese medicines (TCMs) have led to increasing interest in the use of TCMs for the treatment of asthma in Western countries. However, there are f ew well-controlled scientific studies on the efficacy, safety, and mechanis ms of action of TCMs used to treat asthma. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of the Chi nese herbal medicine formula MSSM-002, derived from TCMs used to treat alle rgic asthma, on a well-characterized mouse model of allergic asthma, Method s: Mice sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged intratracheally with co nalbumin were treated with MSSM-002 24 hours after the first intratracheal challenge. Dexamethasone-treated, saline solution sham-treated, and naive m ice served as controls. The effects of MSSM-002 on allergic airway hyperrea ctivity, inflammation, antigen-specific antibody production, lung histologi c features, and cytokine profiles were evaluated. Results: MSSM-002 treatment virtually eliminated airway hyperreactivity and markedly reduced the total number of cells and the percent eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids compared with the sham-treated group. Lung hi stologic features showed that MSSM-002 reduced inflammation and mucus produ ction. These effects were equivalent to the effects of dexamethasone. but i n contrast to the overall immunosuppressive effects of dexamethasone MSSM-0 02 treatment decreased antigen-specific IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels w ithout suppressing IgG2a and IFN-gamma synthesis. Conclusion: MSSM-002 exhibits anti-airway hyperresponsiveness, anti-airway inflammation, and immunoregulatory effects on T(H)1/T(H)2 responses, which may be useful fur treatment of allergic asthma.