Objectives : This study was done to investigate whether two oriental prescriptions, saganmahwang-tang (SMT) and prescription C (P-C) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells. Methods : Cofluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of SMT or P-C to assess the effect of each agent on 3H-mucin release. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Also, the effects of SMT and P-C on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. Results : SMT significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without cytotoxicity. P-C significantly increased mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with significant cytotoxicity. SMT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. P-C did not affect Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. Conclusion : Results su99est that SMT and P-C have regulating effects on mucin secretion from airway goblet cells. Further investigation is needed, because of the value in finding novel agents to this purpose, and these oriental medical prescription have potential for such a role.