Effects of qing-fei-tang on the airway inflammation and clearance.

Qing-Fei-Tang, a Chinese blended medicine, inhibited the release of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from passively sensitized guinea pig lung after antigen challenge. Qing-Fei-Tang also suppressed the chemiluminescence of oxygen radicals when healthy human leukocytes were stimulated by opsonized zymosan. In rabbits, Qing-Fei-Tang increased the output volume and fatty acid contents in respiratory tract fluid. In the bronchitic rabbits, 6 weeks administration of Qing-Fei-Tang restored the decreased amount of saturated fatty acid in the sputa, and histological examinations revealed an amelioration of the inflammation of lung tissues. In pigeons, Qing-Fei-Tang facilitated tracheal mucociliary transport. Accordingly, Qing-Fei-Tang seems to exert effectiveness via its multiple mechanisms.