Immunomodulatory effect of a Sophora subprosrate polysaccharide in mice.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of a Sophora subprosrate polysaccharide (SSP1) on splenic lymphocyte proliferation, production of cytokines and antioxidant capacities in dexamethasone-induced immunosuppressed mice. The results showed that SSP1 stimulated proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion of murine splenic lymphocytes at concentrations of 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/L in vitro. SSP1 increased the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in immunosuppressed mice induced by subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone at 1.25 mg/kg. Administration of SSP1 by intraperitoneal injection significantly raised spleen index, glutathione level, glutathione peroxidase activity and lysozyme activity in the immunosuppressed mice. This suggests that SSP1 may play an important role in regulating immunological functions in mice.