Effect of shi-ka-ron and Chinese herbs on cytokine production of macrophage in immunocompromised mice.

Shi-Ka-Ron is a prescription composed of 8 crude extracts of Chinese herbs. It reduces suppression of cytokine production by peritoneal macrophages in mice Immunocompromised by the anti-tumor agent, cyclophosphamide (CY), in vivo. Although it dose not increase IL-1 production in vitro, it enhances TNF production. We found that Ginseng radix, Lithospermi radix, Astragli radix and Glycyrrhizae radix somewhat reduced suppression of cytokine production in CY treated macrophages. Especially, Glycyrrhizae radix shows an active immune response both in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggested that the mechanism underlying immunomodulation of Shi-Ka-Ron is closely related to cytokine production: each herb stimulating macrophages.