Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic extract.
Using various kinds of models, we examined the effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on immune functions. In the immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergic mouse model, AGE significantly decreased the antigen-specific ear swelling induced by picryl chloride ointment to the ear and intravenous administration of antitrinitrophenyl antibody. In the transplanted carcinoma cell model, AGE significantly inhibited the growth of Sarcoma-180 (allogenic) and LL/2 lung carcinoma (syngenic) cells transplanted into mice. Concomitantly, increases in natural killer (NK) and killer activities of spleen cells were observed in Sarcoma-180--bearing mice administered AGE. In the psychological stress model, AGE significantly prevented the decrease in spleen weight and restored the reduction of anti-SRBC hemolytic plaque-forming cells caused by the electrical stress. These studies strongly suggest that AGE could be a promising candidate as an immune modifier, which maintains the homeostasis of immune functions; further studies are warranted to determine when it is most beneficial.
Healthcare Research Institute, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., Koda-cho, Takata-gun, Hiroshima 739-1195, Japan. kyo_e@wakunaga@co.jp
E
E
Kyo
N
N
Uda
S
S
Kasuga
Y
Y
Itakura
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E