Abstract |
We have shown that a traditional Chinese medicine, Xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: Shosaiko-to) augments natural killer (NK)1 activity in mice. The maximum augmentation of NK activity in the peripheral blood and liver was observed at 12 hr after administration of Shosaiko-to. NK activity was augmented by Shosaiko-to dose-dependently. The augmentation became significantly positive at a dose of 500 mg/kg, and the maximum effect was observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. The augmentation of NK activity appeared at first in the liver from 6 hr after administration of Shosaiko-to and became detectable later in the peripheral blood from 12 hr after the administration. Activation of NK cells by Shosaiko-to may occur in the liver and subsequently the activated NK cells may be supplied to the peripheral blood. Changes in percentages of cell surface markers ( asialo GM1, CD3, CD4, CD8) after Shosaiko-to treatment were hardly detected, but augmentation of NK activity induced by Shosaiko-to was abrogated by anti- asialo GM1 antibody treatment before the cytotoxicity assay. In addition, cytotoxic activity to P-815 target cells was not detected in Shosaiko-to treated mice. Augmentation of NK activity by Shosaiko-to is probably mediated by functional activation of classical NK cells of asialo GM1+ phenotype. These results suggest that augmentation of NK activity in the liver is one of mechanisms involved in clinical efficacy of Shosaiko-to in patients with virus chronic hepatitis.
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Authors | M Kaneko, T Kawakita, Y Tauchi, Y Saito, A Suzuki, K Nomoto |
Journal | Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology
(Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol)
Vol. 16
Issue 1
Pg. 41-53
(Feb 1994)
ISSN: 0892-3973 [Print] England |
PMID | 8169322
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
- shosaiko-to
- G(M1) Ganglioside
- asialo GM1 ganglioside
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Topics |
- Animals
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
(pharmacology)
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- G(M1) Ganglioside
(immunology)
- Killer Cells, Natural
(drug effects, physiology)
- Liver
(drug effects, immunology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Spleen
(drug effects, immunology)
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