Effect of Tongqiao-tang on OVA Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mouse Model

Objectives : Tongqiao-tang(TQT) has been commonly used for the treatment of common cold, rhinitis etc. Nowadays, TQT becomes one of the most frequently used medicines for allergic rhinitis, but the mechanism of TQT in vivo isn't investigated yet. This study was performed to investigate the effect of TQT on OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model by calculating serum cytokines and IgE. Methods : 8 weeks aged male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: the normal group, the control group and the medicated group (the TQT group). Each group was consisted of 15 mice. The TQT group was administered TQT extract orally one time a day (1g/kg) from the $1^{st}$ day of experiment till the $26^{th}$ day. The control group and the normal group were administered normal saline by the same method of the TQT group. To induce the allergic rhinitis in the control group and the TQT group, mice of each group were sensitized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA) solution at the $1^{st}$, the $7^{th}$ and the $14^{th}$ day. After then, intranasal sensitization was performed by dropping 0.1% OVA solution in nasal cavity at the $22^{th}$, the $24^{th}$ and the $26^{th}$ day. At the $27^{th}$ day, the mice were killed and the changes of interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, total IgE and OVA-specific IgE were checked. Results : IFN-${\gamma}$ was increased 36% more in the TQT group than that in the control group. IL-4, IL-5, the total IgE and OVA-specific IgE were decreased in the TQT group as compared with the control group and these results were statistically significant. Conclusions : Considering the above experimental results, this study showed that TQT could reduce the allergic reaction in allergic rhinitis. Advanced studies are required to investigate the further mechanisms of TQT.