The effects of Chinese herbs on improving survival and inhibiting anti-ds DNA antibody production in lupus mice.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an important autoimmune disease with multiple organ system involvement. From preliminary studies, we have found that six Chinese herbs: Atractylodes ovata, Anqelica sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Liqustrum lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Homo sapiens can improve defective in vitro interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in patients with SLE. In order to investigate the in vivo effects of these herbs, we used NZB/NZW F1 mice, a typical lupus animal model used to test these herbs. It was found that C. pilosula, H. sapiens and C. sinensis could prolong the life span of female NZB/NZW F1 mice and inhibited anti-ds DNA production. Although A. sinensis could prolong the life span of experimental mice, it did not inhibit the production of anti-ds DNA antibody. These herbs may have great potential for the management of human SLE in the future.
Chen
J R
JR
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan.
Yen
J H
JH
Lin
C C
CC
Tsai
W J
WJ
Liu
W J
WJ
Tsai
J J
JJ
Lin
S F
SF
Liu
H W
HW
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D015996:Survival Rate
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004247:DNA