Effects of Schizandra chinensis fructus on the Immunoregulatory Action and Apoptosis of L1210 cells

The effects of MeOH extracts of Schizandra chinensis fructus (SZX) on the immunoregulatory effect (lymphocyte proliferation, subpopulation, nitric oxide production, phagocytic activity) and apoptosis of L1210 cells were examined. The proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes were enhanced by the addition of of SZX. SZX were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days in adult male BALB/c mice. SZX resulted in altering subpopulation of splenic B and/or T and thymic T lymphocytes, especially the number of cells were markedly increased by the treatment of SZX in vivo and in vitro. SZX treatment induced the apoptotic cell death in L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In addition, SZX accelerated the production of nitric oxide and phagocytic activity in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that SZX have an immunoregulatory property and anti-cancer action.