The immunomodulatory properties of a diterpene lactone andro
grapholide and Kan Jan
g – a standardized fixed combination of
Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 and
Eleutherococcus senticosus extract SHE-3 were investi
gated. Their role on spontaneous and phytohema
gglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and on production of interferon-
gamma (INF-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined
in vitro. Proliferation of PBL induced by PHA was enhanced by co stimulation with andro
grapholide and Kan Jan
g. At the same time andro
grapholide and Kan Jan
g inhibit spontaneous proliferation of PBL
in vitro. These preparations also have effect on the formation of INF-γ, TNF-α and some immune activation markers such as neopterin (Neo), β-2-micro
globulin (β2MG), and soluble receptor for interleukin-2 (sIL-2R or sCD25) in blood cells culture. Andro
grapholide and Kan Jan
g stimulate the INF-γ, Neopterin and β2MG formation, but do not have any si
gnificant effect on the production of INF-γ and Neopterin in PHA stimulated blood cells. An opposite effect on these immune makers was observed in the PHA-stimulated blood cells: both andro
grapholide and Kan Jan
g increase the formation of TNF-α and β2MG in cultivated whole blood cells.
Thus, andrographolide and Kan Jang can have an in vitro effect on the activation and proliferation of immunocompetent cells as well on the production of key cytokines and immune activation markers. The results show an overall higher effect of the fixed combination as compared with the equivalent amount of the pure substance andrographolide. The data are consistent with results from clinical studies of Kan Jang and contributed to a better understanding of these results.