Pheretima aspergillum decoction suppresses inflammation and relieves asthma in a mouse model of bronchial asthma by NF-κB inhibition.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance And Aim Of The Study: Guang-Pheretima, the live form of the earthworm Pheretima aspergillum, is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used for the treatment of asthma, cough, stroke, epilepsy and other diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, anti-seizure, thrombolytic and diuretic properties. Although Guang-Pheretima is effective in the relief of asthma, its pharmacological activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Hence, we investigated the effects of a Pheretima aspergillum decoction (PAD) against inflammation in a model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in BALB/c mice, as well as the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway involved in this process.

[Effect of toluene diisocyanate on reactive oxygen species production and permeability of human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the permeability of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells.

Methods: TDI-human serum albumin (TDI-HSA) conjugate was prepared using a modified Son's method. MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of TDI-HSA.

[Expression of high mobility group box-1 in the lung tissue and BALF of asthmatic mice and the influence of dexamethasone].

Objective: To investigate the expression of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic mouse models and the influence of dexamethasone (DM).

Methods: Eighteen female Balb/C mice were randomly divided PBS control group, OVA group and OVA/DM group, and asthmatic mouse models were established in the latter two groups. The airway responsiveness of the mice was assessed by whole-body plethysmography, and the cells in the BALF were counted and classified, with the supernatants of the BALF collected for detection of the level of HMGB1 by ELISA.