Yupingfeng Powder relieves the immune suppression induced by dexamethasone in mice

Publication date: Available online 1 February 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Author(s): Yuhua Li, Bin Zheng, Huajie Tian, Xiaotao Xu, Yang Sun, Qibing Mei, Xiaotian Lin, Li Liu
Ethnopharmacological relevance:Yupingfeng Powder (YPF), a Chinese medical formula, is used traditionally for allergic diseases and characterized by reducing allergy relapse. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the effect of YPF on the immunity of mice and the possible mechanisms.Materials and methods:An immunosuppressive mice model induced by Dexamethasone (Dex) was used. Blood samples, spleen and thymus were collected. Then, hematology parameters and organ weight were measured; Phenotypic analyses (CD4⁺/CD8⁺) of lymphocytes were performed using a flow cytometer; Phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages were evaluated by particle tracers; Spleen lymphocytes were isolated, whose proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. NK cells' cytotoxicity was determined using the LDH release assay.Results:YPF could ameliorate weight loss and improve low thymus and spleen coefficients caused by Dex. Treatment with YPF made decreased lymphocytic activity of Dex-treated mice back to normal and inhibited Dex-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes. YPF increased the Dex caused low proportion of CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and upregulated Dex-reduced NK cells' activity.Conclusion:The series of experiments demonstrated that YPF could exert immune regulation and enhance immunity of immunosuppressive mice through adjusting nonspecific and cellular immunity. The results would provide a basis for clinical application of YPF.

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