Effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies and cytokines and on T cell differentiation in C57BL/6 mice immunized by ovalbumin

Am J Chin Med. 2002;30(2-3):297-305. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X02000211.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies against ovalbumin, and the differentiation of T cells, in C57BL/6 mice. The oral administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IL-4 and IL-6 production in lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg. On the other hand, the intraperitoneal administration of Inula Britannica suppressed IgG1 production, the ratio of IFN-gamma+IL-4-/IFN-gamma-IL-4+ cells and cytokine production of IL-6. It was presumed that the effects of Inula Britannica on the production of antibodies were induced by regulation of the balance of Th1 and Th2. Further, IL-4 and IL-6 production by lymphocytes collected from an inguinal lymph node in the immunized leg were suppressed, and therefore production of antibodies was suppressed.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / drug effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Inula*
  • Leg
  • Lymph Nodes / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Plant Extracts
  • Ovalbumin