Immunomodulatory effects of velvet antler of Formosan sambar deer on Staphylococcus aureus-infected and ovalbumin-sensitized mouse models
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Dai, Ting-Yeu
Abstract
Velvet antler (VA) is the unossified antler of Family Cervidae. It is traditionally used as a valuable medicine or healthy food supplement to enhance vital energy and immune system in oriental ethno-pharmacology. However, there is still lack of scientific evidence on the immunomodulatory activities of VA. The underlying mechanisms are also fairly unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of VA of Formosan sambar deer (Cervus unicolor swinhoei) and its extracts on the anti-infective and anti-allergic activities.
For in vitro study, VA water-boiled-extract (VA boiled) and VA cold-water-soaked-extract (VA soaked) were co-incubated with RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, mouse primary splenocytes or mouse peritoneal cells, respectively. Cytokine production, cell proliferation activities and phagocytic activities were further measured. Additionally, the in vivo anti-infective effects of VA extracts and VA powder were assayed by Staphylococcus aureus-infected mouse model. In vitro data indicated that both VA extracts stimulated the proliferation of resting splenocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner up to the highest concentration used (150 μg/ mL). The highly enhanced S. aureus-phagocytic activity of RAW 264.7 macrophage was also verified after treatment with the VA extracts. Moreover, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 p40) induced by lipoteichoic acid was significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) after co-cultured with both VA extracts in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro tests indicated that the VA extracts showed pleiotropic effects with both immuno-stimulative and immunosuppressive activities in this study.
Animal tests in S. aureus-infected mice demonstrated that the numbers of infected bacteria determined in the kidneys and peritoneal lavage fluid of S. aureus-infected mice were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those found in the same organs of mice orally administered with the VA boiled or VA powder. Moreover, the mice that were pretreated with VA boiled and 5 mg/20g body weight or higher dosage of VA powder produced significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TGF-β1 than the positive control group.
Furthermore, the in vivo anti-allergic activity of the VA powder was performed by ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mouse model. The concentrations of total IgE and OVA-specific IgE in sera of OVA-sensitized mice were significantly lower (P < 0.05) after administrated VA powder for 4 weeks. Besides, the ex vivo results indicated that the secretion of Th1 (TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ) and Th17 (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21) cytokines by splenocytes were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the VA powder-administered mice groups.
In conclusion, this study demonstrated the protective effects induced by the VA samples in S. aureus-infected and OVA-sensitized mouse models. The protective mechanisms of the VA samples might include a Th1 responses immune enhancer and a pro-inflammatory cytokine modulator.
Subjects
Velvet antler
Formosan sambar deer
Staphylococcus aureus
Anti-infection
Anti-allergy
Immunomodulation.
Type
thesis
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