ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of inhaled Chuankezhi injection (CKZ) on airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma and dilation of isolated guinea-pig airway smooth muscle in vitro, which can provide pharmacodynamic evidence for CKZ treating acute attack of asthma.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) on Days 1, 15, and then were inhaled with OVA aerosol on Days 22-28. The sensitized mice were administered with inhalation of aerosolized CKZ injection (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mL x kg(-1), bid), or intraperitoneal injection of CKZ (0.4 mL x kg(-1), bid), dexamethsone (0.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and saline (control) on Days 22-28. Airway inflammation was evaluated by counting cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and by lung histology. The influences of CKZ on the dilation of tracheal smooth muscle in guinea-pig and the contraction induced by carbamylcholine (CCH)/histamine in vitro were also observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In vivo, OVA-sensitized mice developed a significant airway inflammatory response that was significant inhibited by inhalation of CKZ (0.8 mL x kg(-1), bid), and intraperitoneal injection of CKZ (0.4 mL x kg(-1), bid) and dexamethasone (0.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). in vitro, CKZ did not dilate tracheal smooth muscles in guinea-pigs, and did not attenuate the contraction induced by carbamylcholine (CCH)/histamine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CKZ can modulate airway inflammation in asthma, but has no dilation effect on the tracheal smooth muscle in guinea-pig in vitro. These results demonstrate that inhaled CKZ is not a preferred administration.</p>