An herbal formula, Herbkines, enhances cytokines production from immune cells.
Herbkines is a newly modified Oriental drug prescription for the purpose of immune enhancement, especially for those who are suffered from wasting diseases like cancer in Korea. In the present study, Herbkines has been applied to human leukemic T-cell lines (MOLT-4) and cytokines were estimated by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the effects of Herbkines on cytokines production. Interferon-gamma production was increased by about five-folds at the dose of 1 mg/ml compared to control when Herbkines was applied to a T cells, MOLT-4. Interleukin (IL)-4 production showed high variation in dependence with doses. IL-2 production was increased by about three-folds at the Herbkines dose of 0.1 mg/ml. In addition, Herbkines increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-12 on the mouse peritoneal macrophages (by 7.3-fold for TNF-alpha and 2.2-fold for IL-12, respectively). These data suggest Herbkines has immune-enhancement effect through the cytokine production.
Hong
Seung-Heon
SH
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea.
Jeong
Hyun-Ja
HJ
Chung
Hwan-Suck
HS
Kim
Hyung-Ryong
HR
Chae
Han-Jung
HJ
Shin
Taekyun
T
Seo
Youngwan
Y
Kim
Hyung-Min
HM
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts
D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C488392:Herbkines; D010936:Plant Extracts