EFFECT OF SHI-KA-RON AND CHINESE HERBS ON CYTOKINE PRODUCTION OF MACROPHAGE IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MICE

Shi-Ka-Ron is a prescription composed of 8 crude extracts of Chinese h erbs. It reduces suppression of cytokine production by peritoneal macr ophages in mice Immunocompromised by the anti-tumor agent, cyclophosph amide (CY), in vivo. Although it dose not increase IL-1 production in vitro, it enhances TNF production. We found that Ginseng radix, Lithos permi radix, Astragli radix and Glycyrrhizae radix somewhat reduced su ppression of cytokine production in CY treated macrophages. Especially , Glycyrrhizae radix shows an active immune response both in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggested that the mechanism underlying immunomo dulation of Shi-Ka-Ron is closely related to cytokine production: each herb stimulating macrophages.