[Glycyrrhizinic acid modulates the immunity of MRL/lpr mice and related mechanism].

Objective To investigate the immunological effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on MRL/lpr mice and its underlying mechanism. Methods The research included 10 wild type C57BL/6 mice and 40 MRL/lpr mice. MRL/lpr mice were randomly assigned to four groups: MRL/lpr control, MRL/lpr treated with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg), MRL/lpr treated with GA (20 mg/kg) and GA (40 mg/kg), 10 mice in each group. The serum levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were tested by ELISA. The ratio of Th1/Th2 cell subsets in spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), T-bet, p-JAK3, JAK3, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), STAT3, p-NF-κBp65, NF-κBp65, p-IκBα, IκBα in spleen were detected by Western blot analysis. Results GA decreased serum levels of IL-4 and increased IFN-γ, modulated the balance of Th1/Th2 cell subsets in spleen markedly. GA inhibited the protein levels of GATA3, p-JAK3, p-STAT3, p-NF-κB, p-IκBα and increased T-bet protein in MRL/lpr mice. Conclusion Administration of GA can ameliorate the immune function in MRL/lpr mice.