This study examined the efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) protein and polysaccharide extracts as adjuvant or adjuvant booster when given together with porcine pleuropneumonia vaccine. Experimental mice (n = 5/group) were subcutaneously immunized with 25 μg ApxIIA #3 antigen, a target protein against A. pleuropneumoniae, together with alum and/or various concentrations (0-500 μg) of the AMK extracts, while the control group received PBS only. Immunization with ApxIIA #3 antigen increased the antigen-specific IgG titer and this increase was enhanced in the immunization together with AMK protein, but not polysaccharide extract. Supplementation of AMK protein extract exhibited dose-dependent increases in the antigen-induced protective immunity against A. pleuropneumoniae challenge and in the lymphocyte proliferation specific to the antigen. Glycoproteins present in the AMK extract were the active components responsible for immune response induction. Collectively, the present findings suggest that AMK glycoproteins are useful as immune stimulating adjuvant or adjuvant booster.
Keywords: Adjuvant; ApxII toxin; Glycoproteins; Immunoglobulin; Oriental traditional medicine.