title: A newly devised formulation for self-medication enhances interferon-gamma production and proliferation of splenic lymphocytes.
abstract: A newly devised formulation for self-medication in Toyama, PanaWang, is a new herbal medicine (so called Toyama original brand formulation) developed based on traditional philosophy and scientific evidence. We here tried to examine the effect of oral administration of PanaWang on the balance of type I helper T cells (Th1) and Th2 cells. Splenic lymphocytes from normal mice were stimulated with Concanavalin A (Con A) in vitro and the secretion of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) respectively, was investigated. Con A-induced production of IFN-gamma from spleen cells, but not IL-4, was enhanced by the administration of PanaWang. Increased production of IFN-gamma was also detected in splenic lymphocytes from Th2-predominant BALB/c mice after DNP-immunization, without a change in antigen-specific IgE levels in vivo. Antigen-specific proliferative responses were also increased in lymphocytes from PanaWang-treated mice. These findings raise the possibility that PanaWang has Th1-stimulating activity and induces Th1-predominant immunity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University; Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tega
authors.forename: Chizuru
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kiga
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chino
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Tadato
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saiki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma