Compound injection of Danshen root suppresses cigarettes smoking-induced lung inflammation: a SD rat model

Background: To investigate the therapeutic property for Danshen in the development of COPD using SD rats as animal model. Methods: a total of 30 rats were consecutively exposed in cigarette smoke for three months, and the Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected followed sacrifice. These rats were randomly divided five groups determined by the approaches of treatment (COPD group: smoke+ Sodium Chloride 0.2ml/100g; Control: only exposed to ambient air+ Sodium Chloride 0.2ml/100g; A, B and C groups: smoke+Danshen 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 ml/100g respectively). The level of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, and the total white blood cell (WBC) and percentage of differential WBC were measured. Results: In contrast with the sections from COPD group, lesions in lung were slighter in A, B and C groups. Compared with control group, the levels of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α gradually decreased from COPD, A and B group. However, no differences on IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α were detected between B and C group (all P values was larger than 0.05). Conclusion: Danshen showed a preventive therapeutic potential on lung inflammation