Km. Yang et al., Brazilin augments cellular immunity in multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) induced type I diabetic mice, ARCH PH RES, 23(6), 2000, pp. 626-632
Brazilin, an active principle of Caesalprenia sappan, was examined for its
immunopotentiating effects in multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) in
duced type diabetic mice. Brazilin was intraperitoneally administered for 5
consecutive days to MLD-STZ induced type diabetic mice. Delayed type hyper
sensitivity, Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes and mixed lymphocyt
e reaction, which had been decreased in diabetic mice, were significantly r
ecovered by the administration of brazilin. Brazilin increased IL-2 product
ion without affecting suppressor cell activity. Con A-induced and IL-2-indu
ced Expression of high affinity IL-2 receptors were also enhanced by brazil
in. These results indicate that brazilin augments cellular immune responses
, which are suppressed in the MLD-STZ induced type I diabetic mice, by incr
easing IL-2 production and responsiveness of immune cells to IL-2.