the roles of phytochemicals in bronchial asthma植物化学物质的角色在支气管哮喘.pdfVIP

Molecules 2010, 15, 6810-6834; doi:10.3390/molecule OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 /journal/molecules Review The Roles of Phytochemicals in Bronchial Asthma Hee Sun Park 1, So Ri Kim 2, Ju Ock Kim 1 and Yong Chul Lee 2,* 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Medical School, Daejeon, Korea 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Chonbuk National University Medical School, San 2-20 Geumam-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-180, Korea * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: leeyc@chonbuk.ac.kr; Tel.: 82-63-250-1664; Fax: 82-63-254-1609. Received: 9 August 2010; in revised form: 16 September 2010 / Accepted: 30 September 2010 / Published: 4 October 2010 Abstract: Despite gaps in our knowledge of how phytochemicals interfere with cellular functions, several natural plant products are utilized to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases. Identification of an agent with therapeutic potential requires multiple steps involving in vitro studies, efficacy and toxicity studies in animal models, and then human clinical trials. This review provides a brief introduction on natural products that may help to treat and/or prevent bronchial asthma and describes our current understanding of their molecular mechanisms based on various in