Stimulation of tetanus toxoid-specific immune responses by a traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
The immunomodulatory properties of botanical medicinals are well-documented. In this study, the capacity for the traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Rehmannia Six Formula (R6F), to stimulate anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) immunity following oral administration to mice was examined. A significant rise in serum anti-TT antibody levels were observed in R6F-treated mice immunized with a minimum immunogenic dose of 10 microg TT suggesting an oral adjuvant effect. No such enhancement was found for unimmunized mice treated with R6F. This anti-TT response was preferentially IgG and antigen-specific in relation to antibody reactivity to a panel of unrelated antigens. The R6F used was safe with no adverse effects on mouse weight or survival, providing evidence for the use of R6F as an oral adjuvant.
Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. johnru@unimelb.edu.au
John R
JR
Underwood
Mark
M
Chivers
Thi Thuong
TT
Dang
Paul V
PV
Licciardi
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D032267:Rehmannia / Q000737:chemistry; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid