ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Shuizhongcao Granule (SZCG) on cellular immune function in animal model of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Experimental animal model of RAS were established by immunological method. The modeled animals were randomized into 4 groups, Group A was the model control group, Group B was treated by Levamisole (2.5 mg/mL), Group C and D was treated with high-dose (0.5 g/mL) and low-dose (0.24 g/mL) SZCG respectively. The medication was administered via gastric perfusion, starting from the 7th week of the experiment, and continued for 28 days. Meanwhile, a normal control group was set up. Percentage of T-lymphocyte subsets, CD3, CD4 and CD8, and serum levels of interleukin 10 and 12 (IL-10 and IL-12) in peripheral blood were detected before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Percentages of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio in the model control group were 40.50 +/- 7.46%, 30.80 +/- 5.33% and 79.56 +/- 8.32 respectively, all lower than those in the normal control group (P<0.05); level of serum IL-10 was higher (8.02 +/- 0.53 ng/L) and that of IL-12 was lower (15.51 +/- 1.35 ng/L) in the model animal than those in normal control (P<0.05). After treatment, levels of CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 and IL-12 in Group B were 55.30 +/- 6.33%, 43.50 +/- 5.33%, 99.29 +/- 13.84 and 17.72 +/- 1.70 ng/L, those in Group C were 61.50 +/- 4.32%, 47.20 +/- 4.37%, 103.30 +/- 7.42 and 18.18 +/- 1.54 ng/L, and in Group D were 58.50 +/- 6.03%, 42.80 +/- 3.17%, 110.27 +/- 12.85 and 17.74 +/- 1.96 ng/L, respectively, all were higher than those in Group A, but levels of IL-10 in the three treatment groups were lower than that in Goup A (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The immune function of RAS model animals is in the suppressed condition; SZCG can improve the immune suppression to achieve its therapeutic effect on the disease.</p>