Abstract
We hope to evaluate the effects of Sabaek-san for the bronchial asthma using assesment on the metrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) after Sabaek-san was intravenously administered OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice. Seventy-two female mice, 8-10 weeks of age and free of murine specific pathogens, were used. Of the seventy-two mice, twenty-four mice were not sensitized and forty-eight mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Of the sensitized mice, twenty-four mice didn't administrate Sabaek-san and twenty-four administrated Sabaek-san. Mice were sensitized on days 1 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 20 fig OVA. On days 21, 22 and 23 after the initial sensitization, the mice were challenged for 30 minutes with an aerosol of 1% OVA in saline. Sabaek-san administered 200㎎/㎏ in the tail of the mouse, one time per day, for 7 days, beginning 14 days after first sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 72 hours after the last challenge, and total cell numbers in the BAL fluid were count. Also, level of MMP-9 in the BAL fluid were measured by Enzyme immunoassays and Western blot analysis. Enzyme immunoassay revealed that MMP-9 levels in the BAL fluids significantly increased 72 h after OVA inhalation compared with levels in the control group. After administration of the Sabaek-san, the levels of the MMP-9 in BAL fluids 72 h after OVA inhalation reduced dramatically. Western blot analysis revealed that MMP-9 levels increased in the all mice which were challenge with OVA without administered Sabaek-san compared the normal mouse. However, in the groups of the administered Sabaek-san, the MMP-9 level markedly decreased. Sabaek-san might be effect the treatment of the bronchial asthma as a inhibition of the MMP-9.