title: Immunomodulatory effects of Hedysarum polybotrys extract in mice macrophages, splenocytes and leucopenia.
abstract: Astragali Radix (Huang-Qi) is a popular herbal medicine commonly used as a constituent in tonic herbal preparations. Hedysarum polybotrys Handel-Mazzetti is one species used of Astragali Radix. In this study, the immunomodulatory properties of H. polybotrys were explored by LPS-activated and SNP-treated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes and, daunoblastina-induced leucopenia BALB/c mice. Formononetin was used as the bioactive marker to monitor the quality of the H. polybotrys extracts. H. polybotrys was extracted with hot-water and methanol, and MeOH extract partitioned with H2O (M-H) and ethyl acetate (M-EA) to yield four different fractions. M-EA had the highest formononetin and total proanthocyanidin content and showed stronger inhibitory effects on the production and expression of NO, PGE2, iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes than the other fractions. In addition, M-EA significantly stimulated the proliferation of LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes, enhanced NO radicals scavenging and attenuated NO-induced cytotoxicity.  Furthermore, M-EA also significantly increased the rate of recovery of white blood cells level in daunoblastina-induced leucopenia mice. These evidences suggest that this traditional Qi-tonifying herb has potential effects in clinical conditions when immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effect is desired.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yuan's General Hospital, No.162 Cheng Kung 1st Road, Kaohsiung City 80249, Taiwan. crystal@tmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Guan-Cheng
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chia-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kun-Teng
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bor-Chun
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Ting-Yi
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Sung-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Ching-Chiung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry; D027885:Astragalus propinquus; D002460:Cell Line; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000737:chemistry; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000737:chemistry; D011786:Quality Control; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C013221:proanthocyanidin; C007768:formononetin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C027492:Huang Qi; D015232:Dinoprostone; D003630:Daunorubicin