[Effects of berberine on DNFB-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of berberine (Ber) on DNFB-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and explore the mechanism of the immunosuppression effect of berberine.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: control group, DTH group, and Ber-treated DTH group. The DTH group was sensitized to DNFB by painting the shaved abdomen with DNFB dissolved in propanone/olive oil. The Ber-treated DTH group was injected (i.p.) with berberine daily for 7 consecutive days, with the total dose of 30 mg/kg. The control group was treated with the solvent without DNFB. All mice were then challenged by painting 10 microL of 2 g/L DNFB on the left ears. The weight of right and left ears was measured at 48 h after challenge. Histological changes of mouse auricles were observed under light microscopy. Violet crystal staining was used to determine the effect of Ber on adhesion of mouse splenic lymphocytes to extracellular matrix (ECM). Annexin-V staining was used to detect the apoptotic rate of the lymphocytes in the lymph nodes.


RESULTS
The results of ear weighting showed that Ber significantly inhibited DTH reaction (P<0.05). Histological observation indicated Ber reduced markedly the infiltration of lymphocytes. The adhesion of T lymphocytes to ECM was also notably decreased by Ber treatment (P<0.05). There was no obvious difference in apoptotic rates of the lymphocytes among Ber-treated DTH group, DTH group and control group (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ber can significantly inhibit the DNFB-induced DTH in mice. The reduced adhesion between mouse T lymphocytes and ECM may be one of the mechanisms of suppression of DTH by Ber.
Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation and Immunology of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Li-rui
LR
Du
Xian-hui
XH
He
Li-hui
LH
Xu
Yao-ying
YY
Zeng
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene / Q000276:immunology*; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001599:Berberine; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene