• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.157-164
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• 2001

Radix Asteris has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Radix Asteris on tracheal smooth muscle is not known. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Radix Asteris on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine $(10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M)$. Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Radix Asteris. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 120.5% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 135.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. Propranolol $(10^{-7}M)$ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Radix Asteris. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 44.6% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 18.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue$(10^{-7}M)$ did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Radix Asteris. These results indicate that Radix Asteris can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.167-175
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• 2006

Objectives : We studied the effects of Radix Asteris herbal acupuncture solution (RAHAS) on the type I hypersensitivity. Methods : In vivo, we measured compound 48/80 induced active systemic anaphylactic shock, anti-DNP IgE induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and acetic acid induced microvascular permeability using ICR mice. In vitro, we showed effects on cytotoxicity and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells. Results : In vivo, RAHAS pretreatments at $BL_{13}$ and optional points inhibited active systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 and microvascular permeability increased by acetic acid. PCA was only inhibited by RAHAS pretreatments at $BL_{13}$. In vitro, RAHAS treatments inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. Conclusion : These results suggest that RAHAS may be beneficial in the prevention of type I hypersensitive inflammatory response.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.4
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• pp.267-311
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• 1995

This study was performed to analyze the effects of WhoaDam-JiHae PyeongChunYak on contracted tracheal smooth muscle in rat. Transverse strips were used for the experiment using organ bath. The test strip was perfused with modified Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate solution which was aerated with 95% $O_2$-5% $CO_2$ mixed gas and kept at $37^{\circ}C$. WhoaDam-JiHae PyeongChunYak extract and acetylcholine infused tracheal strip that was contracted with acetylcholine. The results were as follows : 1. The contractile force of tracheal strip by acetylcholine was significantly increased by Pinelliae Rhizoma, Arisaematis Rhizoma, Sinapis Semen. Typhonii Rhizoma, Peucedani Radix, Eriobotryae Folium, Platycodi Radix, Bambusae Caulis Taeniam, Benincasae Semen, Armeniacae Amarum Semen, Asteris Radix, Periliae Fructus, Mori cortex and Lepidii Semen. 2. Arisaematis Rhizoma($1{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$, $3{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$, $10{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$) and Asteris Radix($1{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$, $3{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$) slightly relaxed the contracted tracheal strip by acetylcholine. 3. Farfarae Flos significantly relaxed the contracted tracheal strip by acetylcholine. 4. The contractile force of tracheal strip by acetylcholine was significantly increased by Stemonae Radix at $30{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$, on the other hand Stemonae Radix at $100{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$ significantly relaxed the contracted tracheal strip by acetylcholine.