Protective effects of a Traditional Chinese Medicine, You-Gui-Wan, on steroid-induced inhibition of cytokine production in mice.
You-Gui-Wan (YGW), a classical yang-tonic prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is thought to boost the body function against diseases. To determine the effects of YGW on the steroid-induced inhibition of cytokine production in mice, we established a murine model with hydrocoticoid (HC)-induced cytokine suppression. The results showed that oral administration of YGW protected mice against HC-induced inhibition of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 transcription, and the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells containing intracellular cytokines including IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased in murine spleen. The protection of YGW against HC-induced inhibition of cytokine production was further confirmed by the elevated serum level of IFN-gamma in YGW-treated mice. The results suggest that YGW improve the immune function even in the serious immunosuppressive condition.
Yao
Chengfang
C
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Western Road, Jinan 250012, China.
Wang
Li
L
Cai
Shengye
S
Wei
Haiming
H
Zhou
Xianbin
X
Wang
Hengxiao
H
Tian
Zhigang
Z
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C502768:you-gui-wan; D007371:Interferon-gamma