| Abstract | Hachimi-jio-gan (Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, HMG), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, has been used for disorders accompanying aging. Oral administration of HMG from 8 to 16 weeks of age to MRL/lpr mice as a lupus-like autoimmune model ameliorated significantly some nephritis parameters, proteinuria and immune complex deposition in the kidney. Further, HMG reduced significantly the degree of lymphadenopathy and the serum level of immunoglobulin (Ig) G2a anti-dsDNA specific auto-antibody, even at 12 weeks of age. Simultaneously, interferon (IFN)-gamma production from anti-CD3 stimulated B220- T cells was suppressed by HMG, whereas interleukin (IL)-4 production was promoted. Examination of cytokine mRNA expressions in CD4 positive cells showed clearly that T cell differentiation was shifted from T helper (Th)1 to Th2 predominance by HMG. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HMG suppressed IL-12 mRNA expression in spleen cells which is a marker of Th1 predominance in MRL/lpr mice. These results suggested that HMG modulated an imbalance toward Th1 predominance in MRL/lpr mice through inhibition of IL-12 production and ameliorated autoimmune disorders. |
| Authors | Y Furuya, T Kawakita, K Nomoto
(Affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Healthcare Research Laboratories, 5-90, Tomobuchi-Cho I-Chome, Miyakozima, Osaka 534-0016, Japan.)
|
| Journal | International immunopharmacology
(Int Immunopharmacol)
Vol. 1
Issue 3
Pg. 551-9
(Mar 2001)
ISSN: 1567-5769 Netherlands |
| PMID | 11367538
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
- Cytokines
- DNA Primers
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
- Immunoglobulin G
- RNA, Messenger
- hachimijiogan
- Interleukin-12
|
| Topics |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
(pharmacology)
- Animals
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
(blood)
- Autoimmune Diseases
(drug therapy, genetics, immunology)
- Base Sequence
- Cytokines
(biosynthesis, genetics)
- DNA Primers
(genetics)
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
(pharmacology)
- Female
- Immunoglobulin G
(biosynthesis)
- Interleukin-12
(genetics)
- Japan
- Lupus Nephritis
(drug therapy, genetics, immunology)
- Lymphatic Diseases
(drug therapy, genetics, immunology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
- RNA, Messenger
(genetics, metabolism)
- Th1 Cells
(drug effects, immunology)
- Th2 Cells
(drug effects, immunology)
|
