Modulation effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extracts on IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ in mouse serum

Abstract

This study aims to explore and evaluate the effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extracts on the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 in mice, and the regulative effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae on the cytokine system. Using an ELISA assay, the serum levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 were examined in mice after intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extracts. The results showed that the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased compared with the control groups (p < 0.01), while the level of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Semen Ziziphi Spinosae possesses certain modulation effects on cytokines, and the immuno-regulating function and hypnosis effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae may be relevant to these modulation effects on cytokines.

Keywords:

• Semen Ziziphi Spinosae
• hypnosis
• IL-1β
• IL-6
• TNF-α

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30871951) and National Spark Programme of China (No. 2010GA610023).