Chinese medicine for allergy research
Traditional Chinese herbal remedies for asthma and food allergy
Xiu-Min Li MD, a,
From the Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in Westernized countries is a significant health problem. Curative therapies for these diseases are not available. There are also significant concerns regarding the potential side effects from the chronic use of conventional drugs such as corticosteroids, especially in children. Many patients with chronic allergic conditions seek complementary and alternative medicine therapies including traditional Chinese medicines. This trend has begun to attract interest from mainstream health care providers and scientific investigators and has stimulated government agencies in the United States to provide support and guidance for the scientific investigation of complementary and alternative medicine. This effort may lead to improved therapies and better health care/patient outcomes. This review presents an update on the most promising Chinese herbal remedies for asthma and food allergy.

The Chinese herbal medicine formula FAHF-2 completely blocks anaphylactic reactions in a murine model of peanut allergy
Kamal D. Srivastava MPhila, Jacob D. Kattan BSa, Zhong Mei Zou PhDa, Jing Hua Li MDa, Libang Zhang MDb, Sylvan Wallenstein PhDc, Joseph Goldfarb PhDd, Hugh A. Sampson MDa and Xiu-Min Li MDa, ,
Department of Pediatrics
Center for Comparative Medicine and Surgery, Clinical Pathology Laboratory and Biological Chemistry
Department of Biomathematical Sciences
Department of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Background
Peanut allergy is potentially life threatening. There is no curative therapy for this disorder. We previously found that an herbal formula, food allergy herbal formula (FAHF)–1, blocked peanut-induced anaphylaxis in a murine model when challenged immediately posttherapy.
Objective
To test whether FAHF-2, an improved herbal formula, from which 2 herbs, Zhi Fu Zi (Radix Lateralis Aconiti Carmichaeli Praeparata) and Xi Xin (Herba Asari), were eliminated, is equally effective to FAHF-1, and if so, whether protection persists after therapy is discontinued.
Methods
Mice allergic to peanut treated with FAHF-2 for 7 weeks were challenged 1, 3, or 5 weeks posttherapy. Anaphylactic scores, core body temperatures, vascular leakage, and plasma histamine levels after peanut challenge were determined. Serum peanut-specific antibody levels and splenocyte cytokine profiles were also measured.
Results
After challenges, all sham-treated mice developed severe anaphylactic signs, significant decrease in rectal temperatures, significantly increased plasma histamine levels, and marked vascular leakage. In contrast, no sign of anaphylactic reactions, decrease in rectal temperatures, or elevation of plasma histamine levels was observed in FAHF-2–treated mice in 5 separate experiments. IgE levels were significantly reduced by FAHF-2 treatment and remained significantly lower as long as 5 weeks posttherapy. Splenocytes from FAHF-2–treated mice showed significantly reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and enhanced IFN-γ production to recall peanut stimulation in vitro.
Conclusion
FAHF-2 treatment completely eliminated anaphylaxis in mice allergic to peanut challenged as long as 5 weeks posttherapy. This result was associated with downregulation of TH2 responses. FAHF-2 may be a potentially effective and safe therapy for peanut allergy.

A Chinese herbal medicine formula, FAHF-2, completely blocks anaphylaxis in a murine model of peanut allergy*1
K. D. Srivastava, J. D. Kattan, H. A. Sampson and X. M. Li
Pediatrics, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Food allergy is a serious and growing health problem. We previously showed that Chinese herbal medicine formula, FAHF-1, protected peanut (PN)-allergic mice from anaphylaxis following oral PN challenge. We have now tested an improved formula, FAHF-2, containing fewer herbs.
Methods
We employed a 14-week oral PN sensitization and challenge protocol in C3H/HeJ mice. Oral treatment with FAHF-2 was performed twice daily for 7 weeks, commencing at week 3 or week 8. Anaphylactic reactions were assessed by evaluation of symptom scores, plasma histamine levels and body temperatures. Splenocytes of challenged mice were isolated cultured to evaluate cytokine production.
Results
Peanut-specific IgE was significantly reduced in FAHF-2-treated mice compared to the sham-treated mice in both early (3072 ± 101 vs 7017 ± 9.6 ng/ml, p<0.001) and late treatment (2201 ± 190 vs 3224 ± 249 ng/ml, p<0.05) protocol groups. FAHF-2 completely protected mice from anaphylaxis to peanut challenge. No symptoms were seen in FAHF-2-treated mice whereas sham-treated mice had an average score of 2.7 (scale of 0-5). Consistently, body temperatures of FAHF-2 treated mice were markedly higher (37.2 vs 34.6 oC, p<0.05) and plasma histamine were significantly lower (2483 ± 191 vs 18,488 ± 2194 ng/ml, p<0.001) than sham-treated mice. PN-stimulated splenocytes from FAHF-2 treated mice showed significantly lower production of Th2 cytokines IL-4 (35.0 ± 11 vs 126.6 ± 25.8 pg/ml, p<) and IL-5 (759.0 ± 157 vs 1063.5 ± 195 pg/ml, p<0.05), but no difference in IFN-γ production.
Conclusion
FAHF-2 completely prevented anaphylaxis in PN-allergic mice and down-regulated Th2 responses

Identification and standardization of anti food allergy Chinese herbal formula FAHF-5 by HPLC chromatographic fingerprint*1
Z. M. Zoua, H. W. Zhangb, K. D. Srivastavaa, H. A. Sampsona and X. M. Lia
a Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, NY, USA
b Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
Chinese herbal formula is a complex mixture of chemical components. Chromatographic fingerprint has been suggested to be a practical and comprehensive approach for identifying authenticity and evaluating the quality, consistency and the stability of raw herbal materials and herbal extracts. We recently generated a simplified anti-food allergy herbal formula FAHF-5. This study was undertaken to establish the chromatographic fingerprint HPLC analysis of FAHF-5.
Methods
The RP-HPLC- DAD system was applied for identification and quality assessment of FAHF-5, containing extracts of 3 traditional Chinese medicines, Ganjiang, Huangbai and Lingzhi. HPLC analysis was performed on a Zorbax SB-C18 column and the column temperature was 30°C. The mixture of acetonitrile (A) and (B) 0.2M phosphoric acid was used as mobile phase in linear gradient mode (5%-30% of A for 050min, 30%75% of A for 5080min), with a flow-rate of 1ml/min.
Results
The chromatographic fingerprint of FAHF-5 was setup by RP-HPLC with DAD detection(scan from 200 to 400nm). When absorbance at 280nm, more peaks and better separation could be obtained. From the chromatographic fingerprint of FAHF-5, 31 diagnostic peaks were observed. The ratios of major peak area between peaks 9, 10+11 and 21 were 1:2.1:4.6. On the basis of the retentive time and the on-line UV spectra of chemical markers, peak 21 in the HPLC fingerprint profile of FAHF-5 was confirmed as berberine and palmatine. Peak 30 was identified as 6-gingerol.
Conclusion
Chromatographic fingerprint with marker compounds can be used as a mean of identification and standardization of FAHF-5 herb product.

Lithospermi radix extract inhibits histamine release and production of inflammatory cytokine in mast cells.
Kim EK, Kim EY, Moon PD, Um JY, Kim HM, Lee HS, Sohn Y, Park SK, Jung HS, Sohn NW.
Department of Anatomy, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Lithospermi radix (LR, Borraginaceae, the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold. et Zuccarinii) is used in herbal medicine to treat such conditions as eczema, skin burns and frostbite. This study investigates the effects of LR on the anti-allergy mechanism. LR inhibited the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent manner. LR orally administered at 6.59 mg/100 g also inhibited the anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. LR inhibited the PMA plus A23187-induced increase in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha expression in HMC-1 cells. In addition, LR also inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and I kappaB-alpha degradation. These results show that LR had an inhibitory effect on the atopic allergic reaction. Furthermore, the in vivo and in vitro anti-allergic effect of LR suggests possible therapeutic applications of this agent for inflammatory allergic diseases.

The treatment of allergies using Sanfujiu: A method of applying Chinese herbal medicine paste to acupoints on three peak summer days.
Tai CJ, Chien LY.
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Sanfujiu is a method of applying herbal drug paste onto acupoints Fengmen and Feishu during the 3 hottest summer days, to treat patients with allergies using traditional Chinese medicine. The objectives of this study were to describe the immediate reactions (adverse effects and perceived efficacy) to the Sanfujiu treatment, and examine the variations in the prevalence of the reactions to and perceived efficacy of Sanfujiu among different sub-groups, based on patient age and diagnosis. The study subjects included 119 patients who completed Sanfujiu treatment at a regional hospital in Taipei. One week after treatment, trained interviewers conducted telephone interviews with the patients. More than 80% of the patients reported having reactive symptoms after using the Sanfujiu treatment. Younger subjects (< or = 16 years of age) were more likely to have reactive symptoms. Patients with rhinitis were more likely to have runny noses and nasal congestion after the treatment. Patients with allergic eczema were more likely to have skin itching all over the body. Overall, 44.6% of patients perceived the treatment as being effective, while 52.1% of patients did not notice any effects, either good or bad, from the treatment. The perceived efficacy of Sanfujiu treatment was not related to patient age, sex, or diagnosis. This study demonstrated that Sanfujiu treatment was moderately effective, as perceived by the patients, in treating their allergic symptoms immediately after the treatment. Symptoms reactive to the treatment were common but are usually mild. This information is essential for patient consultation, and serves as a reference for clinicians.
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