In vitro Immunomodulatory activities of a newly concocted traditional Chinese medicine formula: VI‐28

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Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that Vigconic VI-28, an anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula containing Radix Ginseng and Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum, possesses immunological efficacy. This in vitro study further investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the hot water extracts of VI-28. The study included (1) colorimetric 5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine proliferation ELISA for estimating mitogenicity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), (2) immunofluorescence staining for measuring the expression of IL-2 receptor α (CD25) on lymphocytes, (3) cytometric bead array (CBA) for quantifying cytokine liberation from PBMC, and (4) intracellular immunophenotyping for macrophage phagocytosis and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production from monocytes. The results demonstrated that VI-28 (1) could dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-activated PBMC but enhanced the proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-activated PBMC at concentrations of p < 0.05), (3) dose dependently (0.1–1.0 mg/mL) activated macrophage phagocytosis and monocyte synthesis of H2O2 and (4) significantly increased the production of cytokines IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-1β at various concentrations of VI-28 (p < 0.05). The results suggest that VI-28 is a potential immunomodulator which probably acts through the activation of lymphocytes and monocytes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Funding Information
  • Vigconic International Company Ltd