Abstract
Introduction The effects of Samchulkunbitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experument. 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 lymphocytes and CD4+ T cell count in the blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 4 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted of 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered with methotrexate for 5 days. The sample Ⅰ group was administered with Samchulkunbitang for 5 days. The sample Ⅱ group was administered with both Samchulkunbitang and methotrexate for 5 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10 AM and another 1cc given at 5 PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly increased in the Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ group. The weight of thymus and spleen were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups While the weight of axillary lymphnode did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Blood lymphocyte count, blood CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, axillary lymphnode lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups while spleen CD4+ T cell count did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Samchulkunbitang 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 groups with Samchulkunbitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.
