Abstract
Introduction The effects of Bojungikkitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experiment. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in. each rats includes the rate of body weight loss, weight changes in thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode. The number of lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count in blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 3 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered methotrexate for 4 days. The sample group was administered with both Bojungikkitang and methotrexate for 4 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10AM and another 1cc given at 5PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly decreased in the sample group. The weight of thymus was significantly increased in the sample group while the weight of spleen did not show much increase. Blood CD4+ T cell count, thymus lymphocyte count, thymus CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, spleen CD4+ T cell count and axillary lymph node CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in the sample group while blood lymphocyte count and axillary lymphnode lymphocyte count did not show much increase. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Bojungikkitang played potent role in increasing immune system among the rats treated with methotrexate which induces immunosuppression. Overall increase of lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell count in the sample group with Bojungikkitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.
