Effect of Ajuga bracteosa on Systemic T-Cell Immunity in Balb/C Mice: Dual Th1/Th2 Immunostimulatory Effects.

Effect of Ajuga bracteosa on Systemic T-Cell Immunity in Balb/C Mice: Dual Th1/Th2 Immunostimulatory Effects. Am J Chin Med. 2014;42(2):375-92 Authors: Nisar A, Akhtar N, Hassan A, Banday T, Wani B, Zargar MA Abstract Ajuga bracteosa (AB) has been widely used in folk medicine in Asian countries against gout, hepatitis, pneumonia, rheumatism, and various neuro inflammatory disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible immunoregulatory effects of the ethanolic extract of Ajuga bracteosa (ABEE) on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity in SRBC immunized Balb/C mice. Animals were orally administered with graded doses of ABEE from 6.25 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg. Post sub-cutaneous immunization with SRBCs and circulating antibody titers, DTH responses and splenocyte proliferation was monitored as markers of Th2 and Th1 responses. Cyclophosphamide and levamisole were used as controls. Lymphocyte immunophenotying (CD4/CD8 cell counts) and intracellular Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations were determined using flow cytometry. Treatment with ABEE demonstrated significant biphasic immunostimulation of effector T-helper immunity. ABEE at 50 mg/kg dose resulted in maximal increase in antibody titers, DTH responses and CD4+/CD8+ T-cell percentages indicating maximal activation and proliferation of T and B lymphocytes at this dose. ABEE, at the same dose, also showed maximal up regulation of LPS and CON A stimulated splenocyte proliferation and also max...
Source: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine - Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tags: Am J Chin Med Source Type: research