Effects of Ginseng polysaccharides and polyporus polysaccharides on TNF-α and IFN-γ-production by enteric mucosal lymphocytes of rats with collagen induced arthritis

The effects of Ginseng and Polyporus polysaccharides (from Ginseng and Polyporus umbellatus (Pers) Fries) [1,2] on the TNF-α and IFN-γ-production by enteric mucosal lymphocytes in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats were investigated. The Peyer's patches lymphocytes (PPL), intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) of SD rats were isolated, and checked with flow cytometry after co-culturing with Ginseng and Polyporus polysaccharides at different dosages. ELISA was used to measure the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the supernatants. The arthritic incidence of CIA in SD rats was 17/20at the week 4 after the immunization. More CD4 cells and more CD8 cells were detected in PPL, IEL and LPL in CIA models. Gingseng polysaccharides at 0.15g/L, 0.30g/L and 0.60g/L can significantly lower the secretion of TNF-α in PPL of CIA rats. At 0.15g/L and 0.30g/L, it can lower the secretion of TNF-α in IEL of CIA rats, and it can lower the secretion of TNF-α in LPL of CIA rats. Polyporus polysaccharides at 1.0g/L and 2.0g/L can significantly lower the secretion of TNF-α in PPL of CIA rat and the secretion of TNF-α in IEL of CIA rats. At 1.0g/L and 2.0g/L, it can lower the secretion of TNF-α in LPL of CIA rats. Ginseng polysaccharides at 0.15g/L, 0.30g/L and 0.60g/L can significantly lower the secretion of IFN-γin IEL and LPL of CIA rats, and increase the secretion of IFN-γin PPL of CIA rats. Polyporus polysaccharides at 0.5g/L, 1.0g/L and 2.0g/L can significantly lower the secretion of IFN-γin PPL, IEL and LPL of CIA rat, and increase the secretion of IFN-γin PPL of CIA rats. Obvious dose dependent responses in PPL were found in ginseng and polyporus polysaccharides. The results indicate that Ginseng and Polyporus polysaccharides could affect the enteric mucosal immune response in CIA rats.

Acknowledgements: Supported in part by the projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No 30171133)

References: [1] Ma, L., et al. (1995) Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 15: 411–3. [2] Huang, D.N., et al. (2004) Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2: 350–2.