Characterization and anti-tumor activity of pollen polysaccharide

The polysaccharide LBPP was extracted and isolated from the pollen of Brassica napus L., and the anti-tumor activity was evaluated on Sarcoma 180-bearing mice and B16 melanoma-bearing mice through transplantable animal tumor. Mice were treated with three doses of the polysaccharide LBPP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen and thymus weight, lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), phagocytic function of monocyte, serum hemolysis antibody and peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were studied. At the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, a significant decrease (P<0.01) in tumor formation, a significant increase (P<0.05) in relative spleen and thymus weight, natural killer cell activity, phagocytic function of monocyte, lymphocyte proliferation, and serum hemolysis antibody, and a significant improvement of peripheral blood abnormality (P<0.05) and anemia (P<0.01) were observed. Results of these studies demonstrated that the polysaccharide LBPP had anti-tumor activity, which was mediated by immunomodulation and leukogenic and antianemic actions.     

Immunomodulation and antitumor activity by a polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum

The modulation of a polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum (LBP3p) on the immune system in S180-bearing mice was investigated. The mice inoculated with S180 cell suspension were treated p.o. with LBP3p (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) for 10 days. The effects of LBP3p on transplantable tumors and macrophage phagocytosis, quantitative hemolysis of sheep red blood cells (QHS), lymphocyte proliferation, the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression and lipid peroxidation were studied. LBP3p could significantly inhibit the growth of transplantable sarcoma S180 and increase macrophage phagocytosis, the form of antibody secreted by spleen cells, spleen lymphocyte proliferation, CTL activity, IL-2 mRNA expression level and reduce the lipid peroxidation in S180-bearing mice. The effect is not dose-dependent in a linear fashion. A total of 10 mg/kg dose is more effective than 5 and 20 mg/kg doses. This suggests that LBP3p at 10 mg/kg has a highly significant effect on tumor weight and improves the immune system.     

Characterization and anti-tumor activity of alkali-extracted polysaccharide from Enteromorpha intestinalis

The polysaccharide DAEB was isolated and purified from Enteromorpha intestinalis. It consisted of rhamnose, xylose, galactose, and glucose in a molar ratio of 5.36:1.00:0.57:0.64, and had a molecular weight of 46.8 kDa. Mice were treated with three doses of DAEB for 10 consecutive days by oral administration, the tumor inhibition was 61.17%, 67.65% and 70.59% at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. However, no direct cytotoxicity was detected. At dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, a significant increase (P < 0.01) in relative spleen and thymus weight, and production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were observed in DAEB treated groups. We also found that DAEB significantly stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, especially Concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and augmented phagocytosis and secretion of NO and TNF-α in peritoneal macrophages. The results indicated that DAEB had potent anti-tumor activity which may be associated with its potent immunostimulating effect.     

Methamphetamine administration produces immunomodulation in mice

The abuse of methamphetamine (MA) is an increasingly growing problem globally and produces serious side effects. In the present study, the immunomodulating effects of MA were examined on the immune system after MA (5 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily orally for 14 d. The immune system was evaluated by the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC; plaque assay and serum immunoglobulin [Ig] G), natural killer (NK) activity, lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus, and concanavalin A (Con A)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation using splenocytes. Body weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight generally decreased in MA-treated mice. MA treatment induced an increase in the percentage of CD4(+) cells with simultaneous decrease in the percentages of CD8(+) and double-positive CD4(+)CD8(+) in thymus. MA inhibited the IgM plaque-forming cell number, and lowered the level of IgG, the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated B and T cells, and the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM). Exposure to MA also decreased interleukin-2 production by splenocytes. In contrast, splenic NK activity in exposed mice was significantly enhanced. Taken together, data indicate that the immune system was suppressed by oral MA exposure.     

望江南蒽醌苷对小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的探讨望江南蒽醌苷(AG)对环磷酰胺(CTX)造成的免疫低下小鼠的保护作用。方法体外,将小鼠胸腺和脾淋巴细胞与不同浓度的AG共培养,用MTT法检测AG对胸腺和脾淋巴细胞增殖的影响;体内,腹腔注射CTX形成免疫抑制模型。结果体内试验中,与模型对照组小鼠相比,能显著升高外周血的白细胞数,增强腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,能促进胸腺/脾淋巴细胞增殖,增加胸腺指数和脾指数。结论AG具有免疫增强作用。     

当归多糖对小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的　研究当归多糖对小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法　sc环磷酰胺复制免疫抑制模型 ;测定胸腺、脾脏重量并计算脏器系数 ;碳粒廓清法测定单核巨噬细胞吞噬功能 ;比色法测定血清溶血素IgG、IgM含量 ;MTT法测定混合淋巴细胞培养反应。结果　在 1 0～ 1 0 0mg·kg- 1 剂量范围内 ,当归多糖能对抗环磷酰胺引起的小鼠脾萎缩 ,增加正常小鼠脾重 ,而对于正常及免疫抑制小鼠胸腺影响不大 ;促进正常及免疫抑制小鼠碳粒廓清率 ;而对小鼠血清溶血素IgG、IgM的生成有较强的抑制作用 ;在 30～ 30 0mg·L- 1 剂量范围内能促进同种异型抗原激活的小鼠脾细胞的增殖。结论　当归多糖能增强正常及免疫抑制小鼠的非特异性免疫功能 ,而对正常小鼠的体液免疫功能有抑制作用     

Characterization and immunomodulating activities of polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes

The polysaccharide L-II was isolated and purified from the fruiting body of Lentinus edodes, which consisted of d-glucopyranose and had the molecular weight of 2.03 x 10(5) Da. We evaluated the effects of the polysaccharide L-II on the cellular immune response of Sarcoma 180-bearing mice. Mice were treated with three doses of the polysaccharide L-II (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen and thymus weight, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, phagocytosis of macrophage, splenocytes proliferation were studied. Concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in mice serum were measured in control and polysaccharide groups. At the dose of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg, a significant increase (p<0.05) in relative spleen and thymus weight, DTH, phagocytosis of macrophage was observed, as well as a significant decrease in tumor formation. The concentration of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in serum increased significantly in the polysaccharide groups compared with the model control group, but IL-2 not. Moreover, the polysaccharide L-II could increase NO production and catalase activity in macrophages. Results of these studies demonstrated the antitumor activity of the polysaccharide L-II on mice-transplanted sarcoma 180 was mediated by immunomodulation in inducing T-cells and macrophage-dependent immune system responses.     

Regulatory effects of coenzyme Q10 on the immunological activity of mice

To examine how coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀)regulates immunity, experiments using low, middle and high doses of CoQ₁₀were conducted in mice to confirm its non-toxicity and non-genotoxicity. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and MTT assays were used to to examine various lymphocyte transformations, the proliferation of antibody-producing cells, the phagocytotsis activity of macrophages, and the activity of nature killer cell (NK). High-dose (0.50 g/kg.bw) CoQ₁₀ increased DTH levels and promoted the proliferation of antibody-producing cells and levels of red blood cell hemolysis. Medium and high doses enhanced the phagocytic ratio of macrophages but didnot influence other indexes. These results showed that the applied CoQ₁₀ did not exhibit any toxicity or genotoxicity, and CoQ₁₀ can actually improve immunologic function in mice.     

Evaluation of immunosuppression induced by metronidazole in Balb/c mice and human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The immunomodulatory effect of metronidazole (MTZ), a nitroimidazole drug used as an antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent, was investigated using Balb/c mice and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. For in vivo studies, mice were divided into six groups, six animals per group, group I received vehicle alone while the other groups (II-VI) received intraperitoneal injections of MTZ (14, 28, 42, 57, and 114 mg/kg) respectively. For in vitro studies different concentrations of MTZ (5, 10, 50, and 200 microg/ml) were used. MTZ showed a significant decrease in the percentage of circulating neutrophils and monocytes and an increase in the percentage of circulating lymphocytes. The relative weights of spleen as well as the relative body weight gain also decreased. Detectable changes were seen in the histology of spleen and thymus. Splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC), hemagglutination (HA) titer to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), spleenocytes and human peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation (MLR) were markedly suppressed by MTZ treatment as compared to control group. MTZ also induced a significant decrease in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, phagocytic activity (assessed by phagocytic capacity and phagocytic index) as well as TNF-alpha secretion by peritoneal macrophages. These observations indicate that MTZ significantly induced immunosuppression in mice and in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.     

文蛤多糖抗癌免疫药理作用的研究

小鼠ｉｇ文蛤多糖１００ｍｇ／ｋｇ、２００ｍｇ／ｋｇ,显著抑制Ｓ１８０实体瘤的瘤重显著延长ＥＡＣ腹水瘤荷瘤小鼠的生存时间,对Ｌ１２１０白血病的存活时间无明显影响,以环磷酰胺损伤小鼠的免疫功能,上述剂量的文蛤多糖可使免疫指标显著改善阻挡的增重,白细胞数量增多,在噬能力增强,血清溶血素水平增高,ＳＲ－ＢＣ－ＤＴＨ和ＰＣ－ＤＴＨ反应增强,以上结果表明,文蛤多人有抗癌作用和免疫调节作用。     

调理冲剂免疫调节作用研究

目的　 观察某调理冲剂的免疫调节作用。 方法　体重、脏器 /体重比值 (脾脏 /体重、胸腺 /体重 )、小鼠淋巴细胞转化实验、迟发型变态反应 (足跖增厚法 )、血清凝血素实验、抗体生成细胞数、碳廓清实验、巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞实验、NK细胞活性测定。 结果　经口连续给予小鼠不同剂量的调理冲剂 30d ,对小鼠的体重、脏器 /体重比值、碳廓清能力、ConA诱导的小鼠淋巴细胞转化无明显作用 (P >0 0 5 ) ;对小鼠的半数凝血值、迟发型变态反应、抗体生成细胞数、巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞能力、NK细胞活性有明显作用 (P <0 0 5 )。 结论　提示该调理冲剂具有免疫调节作用     

Characterization and immunostimulatory activity of an (1-->6)-a-D-glucan from the root of Ipomoea batatas

The polysaccharide PSPP (purified sweet potato polysaccharide), isolated and purified from the roots of Ipomoea batatas, was found to be a glucan with a molecular weight of 53.2 kDa and specific rotation of +115.0 degrees (ca. 0.80, H(2)O). On the basis of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, infra-red spectroscopy, and (13)C NMR, the polysaccharide was confirmed as a (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucan. We evaluated the effects of polysaccharide PSPP on the in vivo immune function of mouse. Mice were treated with the polysaccharide PSPP (50, 150, and 250 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. Phagocytic function, proliferation of lymphocytes, natural killer cell activity, hemolytic activity, and serum IgG concentration of the mice were studied. At the dose of 50 mg/kg, significant increments in proliferation of lymphocytes (P<0.05) and serum IgG concentration (P<0.05) were observed. At the dose of 150 and 250 mg/kg, significant increments (P<0.01 or P<0.05) were observed in all tested immunological indexes. A dose-dependent manner was demonstrated in phagocytic function, hemolytic activity, and serum IgG concentration, but not in proliferation of lymphocytes and natural killer cell activity. This suggests that PSPP improve the immune system and could be regarded as a biological response modifier.     

当归及其成分阿魏酸对小鼠免疫功能的影响

本文研究了当归及阿魏酸对小鼠免疫功能的影响,结果表明:当归(给药剂量分别为15g/kg和30g/kg)与阿魏酸(给药剂量分别为12.5mg/kg和25mg/kg)可明显地增加小鼠脾脏和胸腺重量,促进小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能、小鼠碳粒廓清速率、由SRBC致敏的小鼠血清溶血素的形成、小鼠抗体生成细胞的形成等.当归(剂量为3.25mg/ml)与阿魏酸(0.12mg/ml)可促进ConA诱导的小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖,其刺激指数分别为1.47和1.98.说明当归和阿魏酸对非特异性免疫、体液免疫和细胞免疫功能均有较强的促进作用.     

酶降解的枸杞多糖免疫增强作用实验研究

目的研究酶降解的枸杞多糖（LBP）对正常小鼠及免疫功能低下小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法酶解法得到中相对分子质量枸杞多糖,分别以50,100,200 mg/kg小鼠灌胃给药,连续10 d,通过免疫器官质量测定、炭粒廓清试验、脾脏T及B淋巴细胞转化试验观察其对免疫功能的影响。注射环磷酰胺造成免疫功能低下模型,测定小鼠的白细胞数、胸腺指数、脾指数,观察其对免疫功能的影响。结果与对照组比较,中、高剂量酶降解的枸杞多糖能增大脾脏指数及胸腺指数（P〈0.01）,能提高吞噬指数及校正吞噬指数（P〈0.05）,能提高B淋巴细胞增殖能力（P〈0.05）;中剂量酶降解的枸札多糖能提高T淋巴细胞增殖能力（P〈0.05）;低、中、高剂量酶降解的枸杞多糖均能提高环磷酰胺模型小鼠的白细胞数、胸腺指数、脾指数（P〈0.05）。结论酶降解的枸杞多糖具有免疫增强作用。     

Immune alterations in mice exposed to the herbicide simazine

Simazine, a triazine herbicide, was investigated for its in vivo immunomodulatory properties. Male C57Bl/6 mice were treated with vehicle or 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight (bw) simazine daily orally for 4 wk. The immune system was evaluated by the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC; plaque assay and serum immunoglobulin G), natural killer (NK) and macro-phage activities, lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus, and concanavalin A (Con A)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation using splenocytes. Body weight and spleen and thymus weight decreased generally in simazine-treated mice, while the weight of adrenal glands was higher than in the control. Simazine treatment (600 mg/kg) induced an increase in the percentage of CD4(+) cells in spleen and CD8 + in thymus. Simazine inhibited the IgM plaque-forming cell numbers and lowered the level of IgG and the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated B cells and T cells. In addition, splenic NK and peritoneal macrophage activities in exposed mice were significantly decreased. Exposure to simazine also decreased cytokine production by macrophages, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Taken together, data indicate that the immune system was suppressed by oral simazine exposure.     

Comparative immunotoxicity evaluation of amphotericin B and ABELCET, an amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)

ABELCET, an amphotericin B lipid complex formulation (ABLC) and an aqueous, non-lipid-containing formulation with sodium deoxycholate (AmBd), were evaluated for their potential to induce immunotoxicity in B6C3F1 female mice. ABLC was administered intravenously at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg daily for 28 days, while AmBd at 1 mg/kg was administered by the same route and duration. The effect of ABLC and AmBd on clinical signs, body weight, and spleen weight was determined. Peritoneal macrophage function was measured by phagocytosis of 51Cr-labeled chicken red blood cells and generation of hydrogen peroxide during respiratory burst. The ability of natural killer cells to lyse radiolabeled tumor target cells was evaluated in a short-term chromium-release assay. The ability of splenic T and B cells to undergo blastogenesis and of splenic T cells to recognize alloantigens present on foreign cells was assessed in a splenic lymphocyte assay and the ability of mice to generate antibody-forming cells following immunization with sheep red blood cells was measured. Neither ABLC nor AmBd affected the metabolic or functional activity of murine phagocytic cells. These agents also did not cause any biologically significant or dose-related changes in B- or T-cell responses to mitogens, T-cell responses to allogeneic cells in the mixed lymphocyte culture assay, or natural killer cell function. The ability to generate a primary antibody response to a T cell-dependent antigen was also unimpaired. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that neither ABLC at dose up to 10 mg/kg nor AmBd at dose up to 1.0 mg/kg produce biologically significant immunologic changes in B6C3F1 mice.     

Immunomodulatory effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) extract in mice

Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum graecum L., a widely used medicinal and dietary herb, was evaluated in male Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated with three doses of extract (50, 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight per os) for 10 days. Body weight, relative organ weight, cellularity of lymphoid organs, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) response, plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, haemagglutination titre (HT), quantitative haemolysis of SRBC (QHS) assay, phagocytosis, and lymphoproliferation were studied in various groups of animals. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in relative organ weight of thymus was observed but there was no effect on kidney and spleen weights. Liver weight also increased significantly at doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg. However, no elevation in the levels of liver function test (LFT) enzymes was observed. As regards lymphoid organ cellularity, spleen recorded no significant increase at any dose, whereas cellularities of thymus and bone marrow were significantly increased. T. foenum graecum extract elicited a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the DTH response at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, but the change at higher dose of 250 mg/kg was not statistically significant. Humoral immunity as measured by PFC showed an elevated response at a dose of 100 mg/kg, but at 50 and 250 mg/kg, no significant effect was observed. In the HT test, plant extract also showed modulatory effect at all the doses. Plant extract elicited a significant increase in phagocytic index and phagocytic capacity of macrophages. Stimulatory response of plant extract was also observed in lymphoproliferation assay but the response was weak. Overall, T. foenum graecum showed a stimulatory effect on immune functions in mice. As it is used for a variety of medicinal purposes, its immunostimulatory effect, as reported in this study, strengthens the rationale of its use in several Ayurvedic and Unani drugs.     

淫羊藿多糖促进免疫功能的实验研究

中药淫羊藿多糖成分50mg/kg以上剂量连续皮下给药,7天,可显著促进小鼠免疫功能。表现如下:(1)增加脾脏的PFC数,溶血空斑也显著增大。(2)提高血清溶血素水平。(3)增加外周血白细胞数、淋巴细胞及脾有核细胞数,并促进PHA刺激的淋巴细胞转化反应。(4)增强腹腔Mφ吞噬功能。(5)使脾脏重量增加,胸腺减轻。     

Immunotoxicity of paraquat after subacute exposure to mice

The immunotoxic effect of paraquat (PQ), a herbicide that has been used widely in agriculture was investigated using Balb/c mice. Paraquat was administered at doses of 1, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/kg for 21 days. Body weight, organ weight, cellularity of spleen, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) response, plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, hemagglutination titer (HA), quantitative hemolysis of SRBC (QHS) assay, spleen cell subtypes, cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation assay were studied in various groups of animals. Results showed that high dose of PQ (1 mg/kg) could suppress both cellular and humoral activity of the immune system. PQ at medium dose (0.1 mg/kg) did not show any changes in organ weight, body weight and spleen cellularity but significantly decreased the proliferation response to PHA and the production of IFNγ. PQ at low dose (0.01 mg/kg) did not produce any significant changes in humoral or cellular responses of the immune system. In conclusion, paraquat at high dose has an inhibitory effect on the cell-mediated and humoral immunity. It seems that PQ has no adverse effects on mice immune system at low doses of 0.01 mg/kg, which is two times the PQ allowed daily intake (ADI) limit.     

Immunotoxicological effects of piperine in mice

The immunotoxicological effects of piperine were investigated in Swiss male mice, gavaged at a dose of 1.12, 2.25 or 4.5 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive days. All the dose levels had no overt toxic effect and the liver gained weight normally. Treatment at highest dose, however, resulted in significant decrease in the weight of spleen, thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes, but not of peripheral lymph nodes. All the dose levels suppressed the cellular population of lymphoid organs, except for the spleen, where the doses of 1.12 and 2.25 caused an increase. Haematologically, doses of 2.25 and 4.5 mg/kg caused a significant reduction in total leucocyte counts and differential leucocyte counts showed an increase in the percentage of neutrophils. The higher doses of 2.25 and 4.5 mg/kg suppressed the mitogenic response of B-lymphocyte to lipopolysaccharide. The number of primary antibody (IgM) forming cells in the spleen and the level of primary antibody in serum, was decreased. The doses of 1.12 and 2.25 mg/kg suppressed the mitogenic response of T-lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reducing activity of peritoneal exudate cells (PECs). Since the lowest dose of 1.12 mg of piperine per kg body weight had no immunotoxic effect, it may be considered as immunologically safe "no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)" dose.