[Effects of among compositions of Herba Ephedrae decoction on genic xpression of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, IL-4 and leukotriene C4 in asthmatic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regularity of recipe composition by observing inhibitory effects on the genic expression of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, IL-4 and the leukotriene C4 in asthmatic mice.
METHOD: The mice were challenged with OVA and administered ig with the Herba Ephedrae decoction (HED), separated compositions (2500 mg x kg(-1), calculated by Herba Ephedrae) and dexamethasone (2 mg x kg(-1)) respectively once daily for seven days. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was employed to measure the contents of FLAP mRNA and IL-4 mRNA expressions in lung and the ELISA method was used to determine the content of LTC4 in the washing solution of pulmonary alveolus and bronchi. RESULT: In the lung of asthma mice, the expressions of FLAP and IL-4 and the content of LTC4 were significantly augmented compared with the control group. The HED and the separated compositions could suppress the expressions of FLAP and IL-4 and LTC4 release to a great extent in mice.
CONCLUSION: The HED had the remarkable effects of antianaphylaxis asthma and the original formula HED worked best. These results confirmed the rationality and scientific level of HED.