Alergia

Mechanisms of allergic diseases
(Supported by an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.)
Series editors: Joshua A. Boyce, MD, Fred Finkelman, MD, William T. Shearer, MD, PhD, and Donata Vercelli, MD
Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese
medicines for treating asthma and allergy
Xiu-Min Li, MD, and LaVerne Brown, PhD New York, NY
Background: Although corticosteroids andb2-agonists are
effective in managing asthma symptoms, a curative therapy for
asthma is lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), used in
Asia for centuries, is beginning to play a role in Western health
care as a complementary and alternative medicine modality.
There is increasing scientific evidence supporting the use of
TCM for asthma treatment.
Objective: This review articlediscusses promising TCM
interventions for asthma and explores their possible
mechanisms of action.
Methods: We first reviewed 5 clinical studies of antiasthma TCM
herbal remedies published between 2005 and 2007.We then
summarized possible mechanisms underlying their effects on the
basis of data in the original articles, published abstracts, and
available databases. Possible mechanisms includeantiinflammation,
inhibition of airway smooth muscle contraction,
and immunomodulation. Research on TCM herbal therapy for
food allergy is rare, and we therefore focused on the effect and
mechanism of action of food allergy herbal formula-2 on a murine
model of peanut allergy and preliminary clinical study results.
Conclusion: Evidence from clinical studies supports beneficial
effects of TCMherbal therapy on asthma. A number of
mechanisms may be responsible for efficacy of these agents.
Strong preclinical study data suggest the potential efficacy of
food allergy herbal formula-2 for food allergy. (J Allergy Clin
Immunol 2009;123:297-306.)
Key words: Complementary and alternative medicine, traditional
Chinese herbal medicine, botanical drug, asthma, food allergy,
TH1/TH1 balanceAsthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects 300 million
adults and children worldwide, including 15.7 million adults and
6.5 million children in the United States.1 The prevalence has increased
by 50% in the past few decades, particularly in Westernized
countries. Although corticosteroids and b2-agonists are
effective in managing asthma symptoms, there is no curative therapy.
Thereare also concerns regarding the side effects from
chronic use of current drugs, particularly by children. The chronic
nature of asthma and the lack of preventive and curative therapy
are leading patients with asthma inWestern societies to seek complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment.2,3 Although
there are wide variations in the reported use of CAM, a
INFORMATION FOR CATEGORY 1CME CREDIT
Credit can now be obtained, free for a limited time, by reading the review
articles in this issue. Please note the following instructions.
Method of Physician Participation in Learning Process: The core material
for these activities can be read in this issue of the Journal or online at the
JACIWeb site:www.jacionline.org. The accompanying testsmay only be submitted
onlineatwww.jacionline.org. Fax or other copieswill not be accepted.
Date of Original Release: February 2009. Credit may be obtained for
these courses until January 31, 2011.
Copyright Statement: Copyright _ 2009-2011. All rights reserved.
Overall Purpose/Goal: To provide excellent reviews on key aspects of
allergic disease to those who research, treat, or manage allergic disease.
Target Audience:Physicians and researchers within the field of allergic
disease.
Accreditation/Provider Statements and Credit Designation: The
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is accredited
by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
(ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The
AAAAI designates these educational activities for a maximum of 1 AMA...