The immune-enhancing activity of the combination of Platycodon grandiflorum and Salvia plebeian extracts (PGSP) was evaluated through macrophage activation using RAW264.7 cells. PGSP (250-1000 µg/mL) showed a higher release of NO in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that PGSP could significantly stimulate the production of PGE2, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells and promote iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-4, and IL-6 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 and the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and NF-κB p65 were greatly increased in PGSP-treated cells. PGSP also promoted the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. All these results indicated that PGSP might activate macrophages through MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Taken together, PGSP may be considered to have immune-enhancing activity and might be used as a potential immune-enhancing agent.
Platycodon , Salvia , Animals , Mice , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Platycodon/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Salvia/metabolism , Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Interleukin-6/genetics , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , RAW 264.7 Cells , Lipopolysaccharides
