Objective: To investigate the effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) on asthmatic mice with Yin deficiency syndrome. Method: Totally 84 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups:normal group

model group

dexamethasone group (dexamethasone

0.5 mg·kg-1)

ASR high

middle and low-dose groups (ASR

8

4

2 g·kg-1)

and ASR + dexamethasone group (combination group

ASR 4 g·kg-1 and dexamethasone 0.5 mg·kg-1). Except for normal group

all of the remaining groups were included into the BALB/c model by injecting ovalbumin (OVA) for sensitization

inhaling OVA for stimulation. In the late stage of the experiment

the asthmatic mouse model with Yin deficiency syndrome was reproduced through gavage with thyroxine; rat body weight

pulmonary fluid clearance

autonomous activity

asthmatic behaviors

respiratory function

cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)

and lung histopathology were observed under the intervention of ASR. Result: Compared with normal group

model group showed significant decreases in water content in lung tissues

body weight

cGMP

tidal volume

and increases in autonomous activity

food and water intake

cAMP

cAMP/cGMP

respiratory frequency and comprehensive asthmatic behavior score

with obvious pathologic changes in lung tissues (P<0.05

P<0.01); compared with normal group

ASR high

middle and low-dose groups can improve Yin deficiency syndrome by maintaining pulmonary fluid clearance and body weight

depressing autonomous activity

food and water intake

cAMP and cAMP/cGMP

and increasing cGMP content

and relieving cAMP/cGMP imbalance status (P<0.05

P<0.01). And it can also alleviate asthma by increasing tidal volume

depressing breathing rate

asthmatic behaviors

bronchial wall epithelial cell exfoliation

and pathologic changes in lung tissues (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: ASR has a certain effect in treating asthma and asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome.