Antagonistic Effect of Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum on Thymocytes Apoptosis Induced by Cyclophosphamide

The effect of Astragalus mongholicus, Polygonum multiflorum and the combination of Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum on thymocytes apoptosis induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy) was studied. The results were as follows: in the group C (the mice were treated with Cy, Cy mice, the control), their thymocytes revealed obvious apoptosis change, as compared with group C, in group AM, PM and AMPM (the Cy mice were treated for 14 days with Astragalus mongholicus , Polygonum multiflorum and the combination of Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum respectively),using flow cytometry,the sup G1 peaks, labelled ‘Ap’—the hallmark of apoptotic cells appeared, the height of Ap peaks was sequentially in group AMPM AM PM C , and Ap peak did not appear in group O. The ultrastructure showed that apoptotic thymocytes density and degree of morphologic change were sequentially in group AMPM AM PM C. The results suggested that Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum could play an antagonistic role on thymocytes apoptosis induced by cyclophosphamide, and the combination of Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum could give rise to the highest effect.