Effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies and cytokines and on T cell differentiation in C57BL/6 mice immunized by ovalbumin

In this study, we investigated the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies against ovalbumin, and the differentiation of T cells, in C57BL/6 mice. The oral administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IL-4 and IL-6 production in lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg. On the other hand, the intraperitoneal administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IgG1 production, the ratio of IFN-gamma+IL-4-/IFN-gamma-IL-4+ cells and cytokine production of IL-6. It was presumed that the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies were induced by regulation of the balance of Th1 and Th2. Further, IL-4 and IL-6 production by lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg were suppressed, and therefore production of antibodies was suppressed.

Effects of Astragali root and Hedysari root on the murine B and T cell differentiation

It has traditionally been known in Asian countries that the Astragali and Hedysari roots have similar beneficial effects. They have been applied in clinical practice for immunological diseases, we investigated their effects on specific antibody production, B cells and T cells in BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Both the Astragali and Hedysari roots reduced the production of IgG2a in the primary response to OVA. Hedysari root reduced the production of IgG2a in the secondary response. Both reduced the production of IgM, suppressed IL-6 production in spleen cells. It was presumed that the suppression of IgG2a production was induced by the suppression of IL-6, which is an antibody production inducer. It was found that the Hedysari root increased the B cells and activated them, and the Astragali root also tended to increase them. In addition, Hedysari root decreased the proportions of IFN-gamma-producing cells in splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes. It was shown that the Astragali and Hedysari roots could act as a growth factor of B cells by increasing the proportion of the total B cells and activated B cells. In conclusion, both the Astragali and Hedysari roots showed the same actions, but the latter was more effective.