In Vivo Immunomodulatory Activity of Hippophae Rhamnoides Leaf and Fruit Mixture

Background: Hippophae rhamnoides is a medicinal plant and potential functional food component. To date, leaf and fruit mixtures have not been studied for immune-enhancing effects. We herein examined these mixtures for such effects.BRMethods and Results: An H. rhamnoides leaf and fruit mixture (HLF) was orally administered for 4 weeks to experimental male mice in normal and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed states, and biomarkers indicating immunomodulation were measured. In immunosuppressed animals, 200 ㎎/㎏ HLF significantly increased the serum tumor necrosis factor-α levels. B cell proliferation in the spleen upon activation by lipopolysaccharide treatment was also examined and found to be significantly lower in the immunosuppressed group than in the normal control group. Administration of HLF (100 and 200 ㎎/㎏) significantly increased cell proliferation. T cell proliferation in the spleen upon activation with concanavalin A was significantly increased by HLF in both normal and immunosuppressed animals. HLF also decreased the production and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-2, and increased production of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in splenocytes.BRConclusions: HLF administration enhances immune function in normal mice and regulates the immune system in immunocompromised mice.