Effects of artesunate on immune function in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of artesunate (dihydroartemisinine-12-alpha-succinate, Art) on immune function in mice.


METHODS
Hemolysin concentration was determined by colorimetric method. Serum IgG and C3 contents were measured by single immunodiffusion method. Percentage of lymphocyte transformation, phagocytosis percentage and phagocytic index were counted under microscope.


RESULTS
Art im 75 mg kg-1 bid x 7 d decreased the humolysin-forming capacity and levels of serum IgG of mice sensitized with sheep red blood cell. The serum complement 3 level rose remarkably, when Art was given im to Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Art enhanced the PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation rate (in vivo) in mice and increased the weight of spleen but reduced that of thymus in mice. Art elevated the DNFB-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity. Art im 75 mg kg-1 bid x 5 d reduced the percentage of phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages and the phagocytic index.


CONCLUSIONS
Art suppressed the humoral immune responses but enhanced the cell-mediated immunity.
Lin
P Y
PY
Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Institute of Medicine and Health, China.
Feng
Z M
ZM
Pan
J Q
JQ
Zhang
D
D
Xiao
L Y
LY
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010962:Plasmodium berghei; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D003176:Complement C3; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate