Immunomodulatory Effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp. Polysaccharides on an Immunosuppression Model Induced by Cyclophosphamide

Abstract

Background. Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) has emerged as a functional plant food and traditional herb owing to its biological activities; Maca polysaccharides as an important active component of Maca have good immunomodulatory effect; however, studies on the immunomodulatory effect of Maca polysaccharides are mainly focused on macrophages; little attention has been devoted to the mechanisms and other immune cells. This study is aimed at investigating the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Maca polysaccharides. Methods. Sixty mice were divided into five groups, and the mice were injected with cyclophosphamide to establish an immunosuppression model except for those in the common group. The body weights were measured, as well as immune-related indices, such as organ indices, haematological parameters, lymphocyte cycle, and proliferation, cytokine, and protein expression levels. Results. The weight loss and immune organ index decline caused by cyclophosphamide could be reversed by MP. Furthermore, MP increased WBC and HGB counts and reduced the ratio of G0/G1 phase obviously, increased the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase in peripheral blood lymphocytes, increased the counts of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and reduced the inhibition rate of splenic lymphocytes. MP affected the production of cytokines by increasing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 levels and by decreasing IL-4 levels. MP increased the mRNA expression of T-bet and the protein expression of Bcl-2 in the spleen and decreased the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax. Conclusions. Maca polysaccharides might be the basic material for Maca’s immunomodulatory effect. The mechanism was perhaps related to inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis and promoting the balance of Th1/Th2 cell subsets.

Sciadonic acid ameliorates cyclophosphamide‐induced immunosuppression by modulating the immune response and altering the gut microbiota

“…Both the thymus and spleen are necessary immune system organs for lymphocyte differentiation, maturation and the immune response 27 . The results of the present study showed that Cy treatment reduced the immune system organ index and impaired their function 28 . By contrast, SA stimulated immune system organ development, enhanced immune function and inhibited weight loss.…”

“…27 The results of the present study showed that Cy treatment reduced the immune system organ index and impaired their function. 28 By contrast, SA stimulated immune system organ development, enhanced immune function and inhibited weight loss. In addition, SA intervention caused a decrease in LPS and an increase in SIgA in the serum of immunosuppressed mice.…”

Antioxidative and Energy Metabolism-Improving Effects of Maca Polysaccharide on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity Mice via Metabolomic Analysis and Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway

“…The dose of MP used in this study was based on previous experimental data [ 8 ]. The modeling dose and period of CYP was also reported to induce hepatotoxicity in previous experimental reports [ 20 ].…”

“…Our previous research showed that MP has the effects of preventing weight loss, enhancing mitochondrial energy metabolism enzyme activity when taking cyclophosphamide (CYP), and improving spleen deficiency syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine [ 7 ]. MP has good immunomodulatory effects on an immunosuppression model [ 8 ].…”

Extraction of polysaccharides from Maca enhances the treatment effect of 5-FU by regulating CD4+T cells

“…Furthermore, MP is involved in immune regulation by activating T lymphocytes. The mechanism was related to inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis and promoting the balance of Th1/Th2 cell subsets [ 16 ]. Our previous research had confirmed that MCPs (MCP1, MCP2, MCP3, and MCP4) had the function of promoting CD4 + T cell proliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion, especially MCP2 [ 17 ].…”