Pediatrics & Neonatology
Volume 49, Issue 5 , Pages 171-178, October 2008

Effects of the Immunomodulatory Agent Cordyceps militaris on Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Asthma Model

  • Chia-Hsiu Hsu

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • Department of Pediatrics, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hai-Lun Sun

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ji-Nan Sheu

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Min-Sho Ku

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chun-Ming Hu

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • You Chan

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Microbiology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ko-Huang Lue

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, 110 Section 1, Chien-Kuo North Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan

Received 1 December 2007; received in revised form 21 May 2008; accepted 19 September 2008.

Article Outline

Background

Cordyceps militaris is a well-known fungus with immunomodulatory activity. It is generally used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat hemoptysis, bronchial or lung inflammation, and urogenital disorders. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of cultivated C. militaris on airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model.

Methods

BALB/c mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) on Days 0 and 14, and were then given intranasal OVA on Day 14 and Days 25-27. Randomized treatment groups of sensitized mice were administered C. militaris, prednisolone, montelukast, or placebo by gavage from Days 15-27. Airway hyperreactivity to aerosolized methacholine was determined. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were analyzed to assess airway inflammation.

Results

OVA-sensitized mice developed a significant airway inflammatory response that was inhibited by prednisolone and montelukast, whilst C. militaris reduced airway inflammation less effectively. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine was observed in OVA-sensitized mice and was reversed by both prednisolone and montelukast. C. militaris initially reversed airway hyperreactivity, but this effect disappeared at higher methacholine doses.

Conclusion

C. militaris can modulate airway inflammation in asthma, but it is less effective than prednisolone or montelukast. These results demonstrate that C. militaris is unable to adequately block the potent mediators of asthmatic airway inflammation.

Key Words:  airway hyperresponsiveness , bronchoalveolar lavage fluid , Cordyceps militaris , cysteinyl leukotrienes , eosinophils

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PII: S1875-9572(09)60004-8

doi:10.1016/S1875-9572(09)60004-8

Pediatrics & Neonatology
Volume 49, Issue 5 , Pages 171-178, October 2008

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