Antiasthmatic effects of schizandrae fructus extract in mice with asthma

Background: Schizandrae fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis , has been used for the treatment of cough, wheezing, dry mouth, hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, and as a tonic and astringent in China, Japan, and Korea. Objective: Investigation of the antiasthmatic effects of SF. Materials and Methods: We investigated the effects of SF on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine, production levels of antigen-specific antibodies, and histopathological changes in the lung tissue in a mouse model (Balb/c) of asthma induced by repeated intranasal instillation of an antigen. Results: SF lowered AHR to methacholine ( P P P P P Conclusion: Our data suggest that SF has possible application as an antiasthmatic drug. We also suggest that SF could be used as a complementary or alternative medicine to glucocorticoids.