RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effect of emodin on immune suppression function of regulatory T cells in a mouse model of CT26 colon cancer. Methods Twenty-four mice were divided into the negative control group, the emodin group and the tumor group. The populations of CD8+CD3+T cells, the T cells producing IFN-γand the CD4+CD25+Tregs secreting IL-10 in different mouse tissues were detected by flow cytometry. Levels of IFN-γ, TNF- β1 and IL-10 in serum were determined by ELISA. Results Emodin could significantly increase the percent of CD8+CD3+T cells in tumor (P < 0.05) and improve the ability of IFN-γ secretion in T cells from peripheral blood and lymph nodes (P < 0.05). Emodin could reduce the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-β1 and IL-10 in the serum (P < 0.01) and inhibit IL-10 secretion in CD4+CD25+ Tregs (P < 0.01). Conclusion Emodin possesses the antitumor effect by affecting the immunosuppressive function of Tregs cells.