%0 Journal Article
%T Immunomodulatory Effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) in BALB/c Mice
%A Donghong Gao
%A Alvaro Mendoza
%A Shijun Lu
%A David A. Lawrence
%J ISRN Inflammation
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/954032
%X Danshen, the root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, has unique immunomodulatory effects. Danshen is capable of anti-inflammation and antiallergy, which are immunosuppressive activities, whereas it is also able to promote immunity against cancer, viruses, and bacteria. Most previous reports were performed with use of a purified compound or compounds of Danshen. Since there are more than twenty active compounds in Danshen, it is very difficult to predict that one compound will act the same way when it is combined with other compounds. In order to overcome this limitation, we used the crude form of Danshen to study its immunomodulatory effects in a mouse model. The mice were fed daily diet supplements of Danshen for three months and then tested for their immunity, including leukocyte subsets in peripheral blood, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and host defenses against a Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. Different doses of Danshen caused different immunomodulatory effects. Danshen at 0.5% decreased serum IgE production in BALB/c mice; 1% Danshen promoted cell-mediated immunity; Danshen at 0.5 and 1% inhibited the production of oxygen free radicals in liver and spleen and NO production in liver; 2% Danshen enhanced the host resistance against LM with increased numbers of peripheral monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells and decreased production of IL-1¦Â and NO. 1. Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is defined as any healing practice other than conventional medicine [1]. It includes naturopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yoga, acupuncture, diet-based therapies, and many other practices. The techniques in alternative medicine have been around for thousands of years. They have been widely used and taught in eastern countries. Now, people in western countries are more willing to try alternative medicine. Danshen belongs to the CAM category. It is the root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. It has been a TCM for at least two thousand years. The major functions of this herb in TCM are huo xue hua yu (activating blood circulation to disperse stasis), jie du xiao zhong (removing toxic substances and promoting subsidence of swelling), and qing xin an shen (nourishing the heart to calm the mind, tranquilizing the mind by nourishing the heart) [2]. Traditionally, it has been utilized for treatment of irregular menses, menstrual pain, amenorrhea, precordial pain, abdominal pain, abdominal
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.inflammation/2012/954032/