[Activation of macrophages with Hochu-ekkito].
We attempted to analyse the mode of action of Hochu-ekkito on host defense mechanism, especially the effect of the drug on macrophage activation. Peptone-induced murine peritoneal exudate macrophages were incubated with/without Hochu-ekkito and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for 16 hours at 37 degrees C, and then the supernatants harvested were assayed for the activities of TNF, IL-1 and prostaglandin E2. Cytotoxic activity of the macrophages against 51Cr-labeled EL-4 tumor cells was also assayed. It was found that Hochu-ekkito rendered macrophages cytotoxic against EL-4 cells. Hochu-ekkito also augmented the production of TNF, IL-1 or Prostaglandin E2 from macrophages. Synergistic effect of IFN-gamma for augmenting production of TNF or cytotoxic activity was noted. These results suggested that Hochu-ekkito activated macrophages directly in vitro.
Kataoka
T
T
Dept. of Cellular Immunology, National Institute of Health.
Akagawa
K S
KS
Tokunaga
T
T
Nagao
S
S
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000473:pathology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015232:Dinoprostone