Objective:To investigate the mechanism of the Chinese herbal formulation Biminne in treating airway allergic disease.Methods:We used guinea pig model of allergic disease to study the effects of the Chinese herbal formulation Biminne on the airway allergic disease.The guinea pigs were divided to 5 groups:normal group

model group

high-dose group

middle-dose group

low-dose group.On day 1 the guinea pigs were sensitized by injecting intraperitoneally with 10% ovalbumin(OVA)

and on day 15 the sensitized guinea pigs were subjected to 5% OVA inhalation challenge.Then we observed the index such as the eosinophil and IL-5 levels in blood and bronchial airway lavaging fluid(BALF)

corticosteroid level in blood and the spleen cell proliferation responsiveness.Results:Compared with normal group

the eosinophil number in blood and BALF

and IL-5 level in blood increased significantly in model group(P<0.05)

But Biminne could significantly prolong the time when the asthma attack happened

attenuated the increase in the eosinophil and IL-5 levels

especially the hige-dose and middle-dose groups(P<0.05)

and also suppressed the proliferation of spleen cells

especially the hige-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The results suggest that the Chinese herbal formulation Biminne has some antiasthmatic effect

partly mediated by attenuating eosinophil and IL-5 levels and suppressing the spleen cell proliferation in OVA-sensitived guinea pigs.Thus the Chinese herbal formulation Bimnne may be useful in preventing and treating allergic disease.