Anti-oxidation activity of the crude polysaccharides isolated from Polygonum Cillinerve (Nakai) Ohwi in immunosuppressed mice

Aim of the study: Polygonum Cillinerve (Nakai) Ohwi is commonly used in China for over 2000 years. Previous research has shown that the crude polysaccharides extracted from Polygonum Cillinerve (Nakai) Ohwi (PCCP) have the scavenging free radicals and anti-tumor activities in vitro. In present study, PCCP were further approached the perspective of their anti-oxidation in immunosuppressed mice. Methods and materials: ICR mice were treated firstly with cyclophosphamide (CY, 150 mg/kg), 1 day later, treated with different dosages of PCCP or saline solution once daily for 21 days. Twenty-four hours later for the last drug administration, the animals were weighed, and then killed by decapitation. The liver, spleen, and thymus indices were investigated, and the biochemical parameters were evaluated for various tissues (liver, heart, and kidney). Results: The administration of PCCP with gavage was able to overcome the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, and significantly to raise the TOC, CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px level. It also raised the liver, spleen, and thymus indices, and decreased the MDA level in mice. Conclusions: PCCP possess the pronounced free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities, and could play an important role in the prevention of oxidative damage in immunological system. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.