Effects of polysaccharides from liuwei dihuang decoction on the splenocyte immune function in vitro

AIM To explore the substance basis of immunomodulating components. METHODS Liuwei dihuang polysaccharides, CA43B and P3, were isolated from liuwei dihuang decoction employing the method of close collaboration between chemical and pharmacological studies under the guidance of activity evaluation. The action of immunomodulation of CA43B and P3 on mouse splenocytes was evaluated with splenocyte proliferation and antibody production response by TdR incorperation and plaqueforming cell (PFC) assays, respectively, in vitro. RESULTS Both CA43B and P3 enhanced splenocyte proliferation in normal mouse and senescenceaccelerated mouse (SAM) when used alone, but did not promote splenocyte proliferation induced by Con A. The splenocyte proliferation was inhibited when the doses of CA43B and P3 increased to 180 and 680 mmolL-1 respectively. CA43B promoted the antibody production response induced by sheep red blood cells (SRBC) also, and increased the number of PFC of the splenocytes. CONCLUSION CA43B and P3 are probably active polysaccharides possessing immunomodulating effects.