Abstract
The effect of Ligustrum Lucidum(LL) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide by murine peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Stimulation of the cells with LL in the presence or absence of interferon-r(IFN-r) resulted in the increased accumulation of nitrite in the medium. To further examine the mechanism of LL induced. NO Synthesis, we evaluated the secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ by LL in murine macrophages. Treatment of LL increased the secretion of bioactive $TNF-{\alpha}$ in cultured medium. In addition, LL induced NO production was decreased by the treatment of anti-murine $TNF-{\alpha}$. neutralizing antibodies, indicating that LL induced superoxide production was decreased by the treatment of anti-murine $TNF-{\alpha}$ neutralizing antibodies. These data suggested that LL induced superoxide production was related to $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion. In conclusion, our results indicates that LL may enhance innate immune response and be applied as a immunoregulating drug improving phagocytosis.
