Objective: To explore the effect of Qingjieling (QJL) induced endogenous granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in strengthening host defence against bacteria in mice.
Methods: Serum containing G-CSF was obtained by injecting 5 mg/g of QJL to mice. The CSF activity was identified by ELISA, bone marrow cell proliferation and colony-forming assays. Forty-eight hours after the serum was infused to 8 normal BALB/C mice, the mice was sacrificed and the number of E. coli in spleen suspension was measured. Eight mice of the control group were treated in the same way but with normal serum of mice instead of the QJL treated serum.
Results: The QJL treated serum showed a positive reaction with anti-G-CSF McAb, it promoted the proliferation of bone marrow cells and formation of cell colony of neutrophilic granulocyte type in the culture medium, these results indicated that the serum contained G-CSF undoubtedly. The number of E. coli in spleen suspension of test group was significantly lower than that of the control group P < 0.01).
Conclusions: QJL does enhance the defense capability of the host, the mechanism of which partly might be due to the induction of endogenous G-CSF in the host.