Protective Effect of Herbal Compound Beverage of <i>Radix </i><i>astragali </i>on Immunosuppressed Mice Induced by Cyclophosphamide

In this study, the herbal compound beverage of Radix astragali (HCBRA) was explored and the immuno-enhancement effects of HCBRA were studied in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy). HCBRA consisted of a water extract of the mixed herbal drugs Radix astragali , Golden-silk jujube , Acanthopanax senticosus fruit, Schisandra chinensis , Glycyrrhiza , Ginger , Peppermint . Compound polysaccharide content calculated as glucose equivalents was 120mg glucose/100mL beverage. The BALB/c mice were gavaged (i.g) once daily with the dosages (2.27, 4.55g, 9.10g raw materials /(kg.bw))of HCBRA for 14 consecutive days, respectively, accompanied by i.p. injection of Cy (80mg/(kg.bw)) at the first three days. The results showed that HCBRA was able to overcome the Cy-induced immunosuppression, significantly increased spleen index and peripheral white blood cell counts, enhanced T cell and B cell proliferation responses, improved splenic nature killer cell activity and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis. In summary, HCBRA enhanced immunologic functions in vivo. These results offered scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of HCBRA.