A Chinese herbal decoction, Danggui Buxue Tang, activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase in cultured T-lymphocytes.
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. This Chinese herbal decoction has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of T-lymphocytes; however, the action mechanism of this stimulation has not been revealed. In cultured T-lymphocytes, application of DBT markedly induced the cell proliferation, the release of interleukin-2, -6 and -10, as well as the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). The pre-treatment of ERK inhibitor blocked the DBT-induced immune responses. In addition, the polysaccharide-enriched fraction of DBT showed marked responses on the cultured T-lymphocytes suggesting the important role of DBT polysaccharide in triggering such immune responses.
Gao
Qiu T
QT
Department of Biology and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay Road, Hong Kong.
Cheung
Jerry K H
JK
Li
Jun
J
Jiang
Zhi Y
ZY
Chu
Glanice K Y
GK
Duan
Ran
R
Cheung
Anna W H
AW
Zhao
Kui J
KJ
Choi
Roy C Y
RC
Dong
Tina T X
TT
Tsim
Karl W K
KW
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C477279:danggui buxue decoction; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3