Augmentation of macrophage functions by an aqueous extract isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum

Platycodon grandiflorum has been claimed to have a wide range of health ben efits, which include immunostimulation and antitumor activity. The associat ed biological mechanisms are unclear; however, of the wide diversity of eff ects, it is believed that their activities may be exerted through several p otent effector cells such as macrophages. Therefore, the effects of an aque ous extract from the root of P. grandiflorum (Changkil: CK) on mouse perito neal macrophage function were investigated. It was found that CK stimulated macrophage proliferation. spreading ability, phagocytosis, cytostatic acti vity, and nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner, and that the production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 were similarl y increased. CK significantly affected secretion at concentrations greater than 10 mug/ml; its maximal effects were at the concentration of 100 mug/ml . Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that CK increased the appropriate cytokine mRNAs. These results suggest that CK is a potent e nhancer of macrophage function. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.