A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Danggui Buxue Tang, Prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis Stimulates the Immune Responses

Abstract

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese medicinal decoction that is used commonly for treating women's ailments, contains Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. The ratio of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis used in DBT should be 5 : 1 as described in China in 1247 A.D. In order to verify the efficacy of this ancient formulation in stimulating the immune responses, DBT prepared from different drug ratios was applied onto cultured T-lymphocytes and macrophages. In cultured T-lymphocytes, DBT induced markedly cell proliferation, secretion of interleukin-2 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In addition, the phagocytosis of cultured macrophages was increased by DBT treatment. The immunomodulatory effects of DBT were revealed to be the strongest in the extract derived from the drug ratio of 5 : 1. The current results verified that the ancient formulation of DBT has been optimized in stimulating immune responses.

Danggui Buxue Tang – A Chinese herbal decoction activates the phosphorylations of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and estrogen receptor α in cultured MCF‐7 cells

“…In agreement with the ancient formulation, the 800-year-old decoction described here with RA and RAS in a 5:1 ratio possesses the best biological activities in stimulating estrogenic responses [8] as well as immunological responses [9]. In agreement with our previous results, we have demonstrated the specific requirement of boiling the two herbs together during DBT preparation to achieve full biological activity.…”

“…The specific DBT-induced phosphorylations, therefore, suggested that boiling the two herbs together is essential; this method of preparation of DBT, indeed, has long been recommended by TCM practitioners in China. In addition to the study with MCF-7 cells, the role of the correct weight ratio of RA to RAS has also been demonstrated in cultured osteoblasts [8] and T-lymphocytes [9]. Interestingly, the biological properties of DBT as demonstrated here are in agreement with the preparation and usage of DBT as first described about 800 years ago.…”

Effect of Jianpi Bushen prescription on the expression of SHP-1 and apoptosis-related genes in chemically damaged model mice

“…These polysaccharides also improve hematopoietic microenvironments to regulate hematopoiesis (Liu et al, 2010;Hou et al, 2012). R. astragalus comprehensively and continuously promotes whole blood cells, restores low red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts in rats, stimulates the secretion of hematopoietic cytokines and hematopoietic system function, and improves bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Gao et al, 2006;Zheng et al, 2011). In summary, the spleen and kidneys have the dual role of regulating the proliferation of hematopoietic cells and immune function.…”

Effect of the Jianpi Bushen Prescription on the expression of SHP-1, Wnt3a, and AP-1 proteins in chemically damaged mice

“…Radix astragalus has a comprehensive and sustained effect in elevating whole blood cells, recovering red blood cell, while blood cell, and platelet levels to normal. In addition, it promotes the secretion of hematopoietic cytokine, stimulating the function of the hematopoietic system, and counteracting bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Gao et al, 2006;Zheng et al, 2011). In summary, modern medicine has demonstrated that the spleen and kidney have the dual role of promoting the regulation of hematopoietic cell proliferation and immune function.…”