Phagocytic activity of ethyl alcohol fraction of deer antler in murine peritoneal macrophage

The mechanism of phagocytic activity of the ethyl alcohol fraction of Cervu s nippon (CN-E) tvas investigated in viva. The administration of CN-E (100 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced lucigenin chemiluminescence and the engulfment of flu orescein-conjugated E. coli particles in murine peritoneal macrophages, Pha gocytic activity was suppressed hy the treatment of S-nitrosoglutathione (G SNO) which is an exogenous nitric oxide donor depending on the concentratio n of dose. CN-E suppressed the production of nitric oxide and enhanced the concentration in [Ca2+](i), The enhancement in [Ca2+](i), was diminished by the treatment of EGTA. These results indicate that CN-E enhances the phago cytic activity of murine peritoneal macrophage via a suppression of nitric oxide production and an increase in [Ca2+](i).