title: Effects of Sisheng Decoction on the immunity and anti-stress function in mice with spleen deficiency syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the possible mechanism of Sisheng Decoction on spleen deficiency syndrome via the observation of general conditions, immunity and anti-stress function in Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati)-induced mice model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were randomized and grouped based on the body weight. The establishment of model and the treatment were done simultaneously. Except the mice in normal group, the decoction and the Dahuang powder were separately given in the morning and the afternoon for 14 d. The general condition of the mice, the rectal temperature, the time of burden swimming, the indexes of thymus and spleen and the interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentration in the serum were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group treated with Sisheng Decoction showed better performance than that of the model group, including less stool, strong appetite and fast growth; the medium- and high-dose Sisheng Decoction increased the rectal temperature of mice. There was no statistical difference in the thymus and spleen indexes between the groups treated by Sisheng Decoction and the normal group (P>0.05). The thymus index in groups treated by sisheng Decoction was significantly elevated as compared with the model group (P<0.05). The medium- and high-dose Sisheng Decoction significantly improved the concentration of IL-2 and prolonged the time of burden swimming, as compared to the model group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The medium- and high-dose Sisheng Decoction is good at invigorating spleen and replenishing qi. One of the possible mechanisms may be related with the improvement of the immunity and anti-stress function of the body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. shufang498@sohu.com
authors.forename: Su-fang
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chang-quan
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007376:Interleukin-2