title: Inhibition of murine chronic graft-versus-host disease by the chloroform extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f.
abstract: The effects of chloroform extract of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f (TWH extract) on chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were examined in a murine experimental model. Chronic GVHD was induced by intravenous transfer of parental DBA/2 spleen cells into unirradiated (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1 recipient mice. The effects of TWH extract on GVHD were assessed by measuring both the degree of splenomegaly and the total serum IgE levels 3 weeks after the cell transfer. Subcutaneous administration of TWH extract once a day for 3 weeks suppressed chronic GVHD in a dose-dependent manner. Significant suppression of splenomegaly was first noted in mice treated with 7.5 micrograms/kg of the agent. The maximum inhibition was observed when mice were treated with more than 10.0 micrograms/kg (but not 5.0 micrograms/kg) caused complete suppression of serum IgE hyperproduction. The ability of donor T cells purified from recipient spleen cells to produce interleukin 4 in response to stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was significantly abrogated when recipient mice were treated with 10.0 micrograms/kg of the agent. These results strongly suggest that TWH extract will be an addition to the cohort of immunosuppressive therapies used in solid organ and bone marrow transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hisamitsu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013163:Splenomegaly; D029757:Tripterygium
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E