EFFECTS OF GYPENOSIDES ON MOUSE SPLENIC LYMPHOCYTE-TRANSFORMATION ANDDNA POLYMERASE-II ACTIVITY IN-VITRO

AIM: To study the effects of gypenosides (Gyp) on lymphocyte transform ation and DNA polymerase I activity. METHODS: Lymphocyte transformatio n response was induced by concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharides respe ctively. The activity of DNA polymerase Il and DNA synthesis were assa yed with TTP and [(3H)]TdR incorporation respectively in mixed lymphoc yte culture test. RESULTS: Gyp 2.5 - 20 mg L(-1) enhanced splenic T- a nd B- cell transformation, increased the DNA synthesis and potentiated the activity of DNA polymerase I. However, Gyp > 40 mg L(-1) showed c ontrary effects. CONCLUSION: Gyp regulated lymphocyte transformation a nd DNA synthesis by regulating DNA polymerase I activity.