Objective: To study the effects of n-butanol fraction from the whole plants (Lysimachia hemsleyana) on the phagocytic activities of the peritoneal macrophage, production of interleukin-2.
Methods: We extracted the components with ethanol, acetic ether, n-butanol and chloroform, then studied the n-butanol fraction on the phagocytic activities of the peritoneal macrophage, production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from splenocytes induced by ConA in mice in vitro.
Results: n-Butanol fraction of an ethanol extract of air-dried herbs bilaterally regulated the IL-2 production from splenocytes induced by ConA, and enhanced the phagocytic activities of activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.
Conclusion: The results suggest that Lysimachia hemsleyana may has an immunoregulation effect and may be an potential agent in the treatment of the inflammatory pathological process and some autoimmune diseases.