Immunomodulatory effects of Hedysarum polybotrys extract in mice macrophages, splenocytes and leucopenia

Molecules. 2013 Dec 3;18(12):14862-75. doi: 10.3390/molecules181214862.

Abstract

Astragali Radix (Huang-Qi) is a popular herbal medicine commonly used as a constituent in tonic herbal preparations. Hedysarum polybotrys Handel-Mazzetti is one species used of Astragali Radix. In this study, the immunomodulatory properties of H. polybotrys were explored by LPS-activated and SNP-treated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes and, daunoblastina-induced leucopenia BALB/c mice. Formononetin was used as the bioactive marker to monitor the quality of the H. polybotrys extracts. H. polybotrys was extracted with hot-water and methanol, and MeOH extract partitioned with H2O (M-H) and ethyl acetate (M-EA) to yield four different fractions. M-EA had the highest formononetin and total proanthocyanidin content and showed stronger inhibitory effects on the production and expression of NO, PGE2, iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes than the other fractions. In addition, M-EA significantly stimulated the proliferation of LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and splenocytes, enhanced NO radicals scavenging and attenuated NO-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, M-EA also significantly increased the rate of recovery of white blood cells level in daunoblastina-induced leucopenia mice. These evidences suggest that this traditional Qi-tonifying herb has potential effects in clinical conditions when immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effect is desired.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astragalus Plant / chemistry
  • Astragalus propinquus
  • Cell Line
  • Daunorubicin / adverse effects
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry*
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Isoflavones / chemistry
  • Leukopenia / chemically induced
  • Leukopenia / drug therapy*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Proanthocyanidins / chemistry
  • Quality Control
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / drug effects*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Isoflavones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • proanthocyanidin
  • formononetin
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Huang Qi
  • Dinoprostone
  • Daunorubicin