Immunomodulatory effects of Abnormal Savda Munsiq, a traditional Uighur medicine, on the combined stress mice

Objective: To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of ASMq, a herbal preparation used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, on the combined stress mice. Materials and methods: The combined stress was induced on mice by application of the electric-foot shock in a cold-dry environment and three different doses of ASMq were orally administered to the animals for 14 days. The effect of ASMq on the immune apparatus weight index, lymphocytes proliferation, serum levels of the cytokines, immunoglobulins, hemolysin and NK cells as well as the phagocytic activity of the macrophages were evaluated. Results: Oral administration of ASMq was found to increase the thymus and spleen indices, lymphocytes proliferation induced by Con A and LPS, the percentage of CD4(+) in thymus, spleen and peripheral blood and restore the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. The serum concentrations of INF-beta, IL-2, IL-6, IgG, NK cells and hemolysin The macrophage phagocytic activity was also enhanced. were also increased. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.