Immune-Enhancing Activity of Polysaccharides from Gastrodia elata

In this study, polysaccharides were isolated from Gastrodia elata (G. elata) by hot water extraction. The immune-enhancing activity of G. elata polysaccharides (GPs) was evaluated in Kunming mice, in which the concentrations of serum IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA and IgM, as well as the spleen and thymus indexes of Kunming mice, were determined. Kunming mice were gavaged once daily with either cyclophosphamide (model) only or cyclophosphamide in combination with GPs (treatment) or distilled water (normal control) for 7 d. Intragastric GP administration improved the serum IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IgG, IgA and IgM levels as well as the spleen and thymus indexes of Kunming mice. Therefore, GPs can be used as promising immunopotentiators. Practical Applications GPs have high immune-enhancing activity; and therefore GPs can be used as promising immunopotentiators and of medical applications.