The potential use of Chinese herbal medicines in treating allergic asthma

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the potential use of the Chinese herbal formula MSSM-002 in treating asthma based on its effects on a murine model of allergic asthma, immunoregulatory actions on T(H)2 cells in vitro, and the means of standardization for herbal formula quality control.

Data sources: Information presented at the 2002 American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting International Symposium on Complementary Alternative Medicine in San Antonio, TX.

Study selection: All presentations from the ACAAI meeting that discussed MSSM-002 were considered for this review.

Results: The Chinese herbal formula MSSM-002 suppressed airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilic inflammation in a murine model of allergic asthma. These effects were comparable to dexamethasone but were not accompanied by the suppression of T(H)1 responses seen with dexamethasone. In vitro studies demonstrated that MSSM-002 significantly decreased antigen-induced T(H)2 cytokine secretion by murine T(H)2 polarized splenocytes and human mucosal T(H)2 cell lines, which in contrast to dexamethasone did not cause apoptosis and was not cytotoxic but was associated with decreased GATA-3 expression. Chromatographic fingerprints of MSSM-002 and evaluation of in vivo actions showed that the quality of several batches of MSSM-002 was consistent.

Conclusion: MSSM-002 has a therapeutic effect on allergic asthma and immunoregulatory actions on established T(H)2 cells and may prove to be of potential clinical benefit to asthma patients.