The haematopoietic effect of Panax japonicus on blood deficiency model mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The rhizome of Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. var. major (Burk.) C. Y. Wu et K. M. Feng (PJ) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to promote hematopoietic effects, promote blood circulation and supporting healthy energy. Aim of the study is to investigate the haematopoietic effects of PJ and determine the mechanism of its haematopoietic activity.

Materials And Methods: The crude extract from PJ (PJE) was separated into two fractions: polysaccharides (PJPS) and low-molecular-weight compounds (PJSM). PJPS, and PJSM were incubated with mice spleen cells, and their haematopoietic activities were evaluated by determining the haematopoietic growth factor levels (HGFs) in vitro. The in vivo experiments used anaemia model mice that were given hypodermic injections of N-acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) and intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide (CTX).

Results: Both PJPS and PJSM were significantly involved in the haematopoietic effect of PJE. The administration of PJPS and PJSM could accelerate the recovery of the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and haemoglobin (HGB) levels in the blood deficiency model mice. Haematopoietic activity may result from stimulating the secretion of interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythropoietin (EPO), GM colony-stimulating factor (CSF), and M-CSF and by the resistance of spleen cells to apoptosis.

Conclusions: The study results support the potential use of PJPS and PJSM for the treatment of anaemia.