Anti-Asthma effect of an active components group from decoction of Pheretima Aspergillum and its chemical composition characterized by Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry

The decoction of Pheretima aspergillum is used as a traditional medicine for treatment of asthma in China with a long clinical history. The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-asthma activities of an active components group obtained from the decoction of Pheretima aspergillum in histamine and ovalubumin induced asthma guinea pigs. The incubation period of asthma, serum IFN-γ, IL-4 and LTB4 levels were tested and determined. As a result, the significant increase of asthma incubation period, serum IFN-γ level were observed in the asthma guinea pigs treated with the active components group. In addition, the serum IL-4 and LTB4 levels were obviously decreased compared to that of model controls. The chemical constituents of the active components group were identified or characterized using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS). Twenty oligopeptides were first identified or characterized in the active components group from the decoction of Pheretima aspergillum. It is reasonable to assume that the anti-asthma activities of Pheretima aspergillum mainly resulted from these oligopeptides. Also, synergistic effects among their compounds may exist in the anti-asthma activity of Pheretima aspergillum.