Effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on Th2 Dominant Immune Response in Asthmatic BALB/c Mice with Yin Deficiency Syndrome

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on Th2 dominant immune response in asthmatic BALB/c mice with Yin deficiency syndrome. METHODS Injecting ovalbumin(OVA) to sensitize, inhaling OVA to stimulate, and using thyroxin during late stimulation, the asthmatic mouse with Yin deficiency syndrome was established and evaluated through asthmatic behaviors, IL-4 and IL-13 in serum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammatory cells in BALF and lung tissue, and GATA-3 expression in lung tissue. RESULTS Angelicae Sinensis Radix could reduce asthmatic behaviors, depress the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lung tissue, IL-4 and IL-13 in serum and BALF, inhibit GATA-3 expression in lung tissue (P<0.05 or 0.01). In addition, there were some synergy between Angelicae Sinensis Radix and DXM on eosinophilic cell, IL-4 and GATA-3 (P<0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSION Angelicae Sinensis Radix has anti-asthma effect and one of mechanisms may be inhibiting Th2 dominant immune response through depressing expressions of IL-4, IL-13 and GATA-3.