Crude polysaccharides extracted from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. in Xinjiang enhances the efficacy of OVA

Objective To investigate the efficacy of using crude polysaccharides extracted from cultivated Artemisia rupestris L. (CARCP) in Xinjiang as an immunologic adjuvant for ovalbumin (OVA). Methods The mice were subcutaneously immunized twice with OVA vaccine formulated with CARCP. ELISA assay was performed to measure the levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect the percentages of different T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ T cells, CD4+ CD44+ and CD8+ CD44+ T cells) in splenocytes as well as the expression of intracellular cytokines (CD4+ IFN-γ, CD8+ IFN-γ) and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells. Results The levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in serum, the percentages of CD3+ CD4+ , CD3+ CD8+ , CD4+ CD44+ and CD8+ CD44+ T cells as well as the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ T lymphocytes increased significantly in mice immunized with OVA in combination with CARCP (P<0.05). Moreover, CARCP enhanced the expression of CD4+ IFN-γ and CD8+ IFN-γ (P<0.05), but inhibited the expression of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells (P<0.05). Conclusion As an adjuvant for OVA, CARCP enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responses, especially the T cell immune responses. Key words: Cultivated Artemisia rupestris L.; Crude polysaccharides; OVA; Immune enhancement