Effects of glycyrrhizae and glycyrrhizic acid on cellular immunocompetence of gamma-ray-irradiated mice.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of glycyrrhizae (GL) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on cellular immunocompetence in the gamma-ray-irradiated mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tested mice of ICR strain were treated with GL and GA for 10 days continuously after 4 Gy gamma-irradiation. The counts of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes in peripheral blood of mice were measured. The blastogenic responses of splenocytes to mitogens, such as PHA, PWM, Con A and LPS were also detected. The cellular immunocompetence was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation in each tested mouse.

RESULTS

The leukocytes and their differential counts decreased in gamma-irradiated mice. The blastogenic responses of splenocytes to mitogens were inhibited by gamma-ray irradiation. GL and GA were effective in enhancing the recovery of leukocyte count and the blastogenic responses of splenocytes to mitogens, such as PHA, PWM, Con A and LPS from the inhibition of 4 Gy gamma-irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Four Gy gamma-ray irradiation can decrease leukocytes and their differential counts, and the blastogenic responses of splenocytes of mice. GL and GA can help the recovery of the cellular immunocompetence in the gamma-irradiated mice.