RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Huangqi decoction (HQD) on phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage of mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One hundred Kunming mice, whose weight varied from 18 g to 22 g, were selected and divided into 10 groups randomly in eluding contrast group, groups conducted at different doses of HQD by ig, groups conducted in various ways of taking medicine, and groups conducted with comparative treat combining Huangqi and Dexamethasone. Mice in every group were taken medicine one time daily for 6 days.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Among the groups treated at different doses of HQD, phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of mice, which were taken HQD by ig at high, middle, and low doses, were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of mice in contrast group, at the same time the effect in group with high dose was the best. Among the groups treated in various ways of taking medicine, phagocytic rate of the ip group was significantly better (P < 0.01) than that of the sc group and that of the ig group respectively, but there was not significant difference (P > 0.05) of phagocytic index among them. Among the groups combining Huangqi and Dexamethasone, Huangqi could antagonize the immunosuppressive effect of Dexamethasone obviously (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HQD at different doses and with various ways of taking medicine could improve phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage of mice at different degree, and could antagonize the immunosuppressive effect of Dexamethasone.</p>