title: Stimulating macrophage activity in mice and humans by oral administration of quillaja saponin.
abstract: Quillaja saponin (QS) was examined for its immunostimulating effect on mice and humans after oral administration. Mice fed QS for 24 h significantly increased in chemotactic and phagocytosis activities of peritoneal macrophages. This enhancing effect in both activities continued for 4-d after QS administration. Mice fed QS for 24 h prior to an interperitoneal challenge with Escherichia coli showed a higher survival rate than the control group. Peripheral blood analysis of volunteers showed significant increases in chemotactic and phagocytosis activities after oral administration of QS for 7 d. Furthermore, the volunteers did not show significant changes in immunoglobulin, transaminase, IL-1α, or TNF-α levels, or in serum albumin concentrations. Thus orally administered QS can effectively enhance the immune response through stimulation of macrophages without adverse effects.
authors: Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyoto Women's University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Supaporn
authors: S
authors: Naknukool
authors: Izumi
authors: I
authors: Horinouchi
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Hatta
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008517:Phytotherapy; D031990:Quillaja / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D012503:Saponins