Comparison of effects of different levels of cordyceps militaris power on non-specific immune function of immunodeficient mice / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim: To compare the immunomodulatory effects of Super V Cordyceps Militaris (Super V CM) and I star Cordyceps Militaris (I star CM) powder on the immune suppression induced by dexamethasone in mice. Methods: Fifty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups; control and model group, Super V CM (1 g · kg-1) group, I star CM (1 g · kg-1) group and Cordyceps capsule (1 g · kg-1) group. Apart from control group, mice of the remaining groups were injected with dexamethasone 20 mg · kg-1 on 22nd and 23rd day of the experiment. Dissection was performed 24h after the last administration, then blood routine and viscera index, the function of NK cells and abdominal macrophages and the cytokine secretion levels were analyzed. Results: Dexamethasone could significantly decrease the body mass, organ index and cellular function of immune cells in mice. The Super V CM and I star CM had significant improvement in all aspects of the immunodeficiency induced by dexamethasone. Super V CM was significantly superior to I star CM in terms of improving the spleen index, enhancing the killing ability of NK cells, and improving the secretion level of TNF-a by macrophages. Conclusion: The effect of Super V CM is better than that of I star CM in enhancing non-specific immunity.