Immunomodulatory effects of aqueous-extracted Astragali radix in methotrexate-treated mouse spleen cells.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of aqueous-extracted Astragali radix (ARE) in methotrexate (MTX)-treated mouse spleen cells. In spleen cell proliferation assay, ARE enhanced mitogenic activity in the dose-response manner. We also investigated the effect of ARE on the reducing of immune suppression caused by MTX in mouse spleen cells. MTX decreased the spleen cell proliferation (IC(50):800 microg/ml). However, ARE significantly reduced the suppression of cell proliferation by MTX in mouse spleen cells. Immunomodulatory effect of ARE were further investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In RT-PCR, we examined the expressions of various cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-12p40, GM-CSF and TNF. Enhancement of IL-1alpha and IL-12p40 mRNA expressions were shown in mouse spleen cells by ARE. In spite of MTX treatment, the expressions of IL-1alpha and IL-12p40 mRNA sustained in spleen cells. These data indicate that (1) ARE has a protective effect of immune suppression, and (2) the immunomodulatory effects of ARE may be, in part, associated with the expressions of IL-1alpha and IL-12p40 mRNA as well as the mitogenic effect on spleen cells.
Lee
Young Sun
YS
Efficacy and Safety Research Center for Traditional Oriental Medicines, Kyungsan University, Kyongbuk Technopark, Daegu 706-060, South Korea.
Han
Ok Kyung
OK
Park
Chan Woo
CW
Suh
Seong Il
SI
Shin
Sang Woo
SW
Yang
Chae Ha
CH
Jeon
Tae Won
TW
Lee
Eun Sil
ES
Kim
Kwang Joong
KJ
Kim
Seong Ho
SH
Yoo
Wang Keun
WK
Kim
Hyo Jung
HJ
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000494:pharmacology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012313:RNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008934:Mitogens; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012313:RNA; D008727:Methotrexate