Danggui Buxue Tang attenuates eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice.

Background: Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), an herbal formula containing Angelica sinensis (AS) and Astragalus membranaceus (AM) (AS:AM = 1:5, designated as DBT1 here), has been used in Chinese medicine to enhance qi and blood circulation. In addition, DBT has served as a treatment for atopic dermatitis in dogs in Taiwan. It also may improve fibrosis in a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effect of oral administration of DBT1 in asthma in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice.

Methods: Female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA and fed with DBT1 or modified formulas of DBT1, designated as DBT2 (AS:AM = 1:1) and DBT3 (AS:AM = 5:1), from days 21 to 27.

Results: DBT1 suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung, and Th2-associated cytokines and chemokines were inhibited in BALF. In addition, levels of OVA-immunoglobulin E (IgE) also were suppressed in serum. However, treatment with DBT2 or DBT3 showed no improved effects relative to DBT1 in treating asthmatic symptoms.

Conclusions: These results suggest that orally administered DBT (DBT1) can reduce allergic reactions in OVA-sensitized mice.