A Chinese herbal decoction, Danggui Buxue Tang, activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase in cultured T-lymphocytes

FEBS Lett. 2007 Oct 30;581(26):5087-93. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.09.053. Epub 2007 Oct 2.

Abstract

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. This Chinese herbal decoction has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of T-lymphocytes; however, the action mechanism of this stimulation has not been revealed. In cultured T-lymphocytes, application of DBT markedly induced the cell proliferation, the release of interleukin-2, -6 and -10, as well as the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). The pre-treatment of ERK inhibitor blocked the DBT-induced immune responses. In addition, the polysaccharide-enriched fraction of DBT showed marked responses on the cultured T-lymphocytes suggesting the important role of DBT polysaccharide in triggering such immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Plant Extracts
  • danggui buxue decoction
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3