IMMUNOMODULATION AND ANTITUMOR ACTIVITIES OF AGED GARLIC EXTRACT

We found that Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) could be a significant immune- potentiator, and could exhibit anti-tumor activities through immune mo dulation. Consequently, AGE stimulated the proliferation of mouse sple en cells and the release of cytokines, such as IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN -gamma, increased NK activities, and enhanced phagocytosis of peritone al macrophages. AGE treatment also stimulated the reactivity of lympho cytes in response to cytokines or mitogens. AGE was far superior to PS K in IL-2 induction, but slightly inferior to PSK in nitric oxide indu ction. AGE, as effectively as PSK (Krestin), significantly inhibited t he growth of Sarcoma-180 (allogenic) and LL/2 lung carcinoma (syngenic ) cells transplanted into mice. Concomitantly, increases in NK and kil ler activities of spleen cells were observed in Sarcoma-180 bearing mi ce treated with AGE. These results strongly suggest that AGE is as eff ective as PSK, and could serve as a potent biological response modifie r on NK cells and T lymphocytes, and subsequently inhibit the growth o f transplanted tumors.