Protection of immunosuppressed mice from lethal Candida infection by oral administration of a kampo medicine, hochu-ekki-to.

Abstract

The protective effect of a Kampo medicine, Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41) on experimental candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice was investigated. ICR mice were immunosuppressed by injection of prednisolone or cyclophosphamide, given TJ-41 orally and challenged intravenously with Candida albicans (day 0). Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-41 for 8 days from day-4 or for 4 days from day 0 significantly prolonged the life span of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with prednisolone. The latter treatment appeared to inhibit the colonization of Candida in kidneys of the infected mice. These results suggest that Hochu-ekki-to can be used as a therapeutic agent against candidiasis in patients with glucocorticoid-induced immunosuppression.

• Authors: S Abe, S Tansho, H Ishibashi, G Akagawa, Y Komatsu, H Yamaguchi
• Journal: Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology (Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol) Vol. 21 Issue 2 Pg. 331-42 (May 1999) ISSN: 0892-3973 [Print] England
• PMID: 10319284 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Candidiasis (drug therapy, immunology, mortality)
• Female
• Immune Tolerance
• Medicine, Chinese Traditional
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Opportunistic Infections (drug therapy)
• Survival Rate