Effect of immuno-modulating agents on murine IL-2 production.

The effect of two Chinese traditional drugs, Dang Gui injection prepared from Angelica sinensis and C 21 Ester glucoside (GB) extracted from Cynanchus auriculatus on in vitro production of IL-2 has been studied. The IL-2 was produced by Con A stimulation of mouse spleen mononuclear cells. The IL-2 activity was assayed using Con A stimulated blast cells as the target. It was found that Dang Gui increased and GB decreased the production of IL-2. In the control experiments for immuno-modulating effect, prosta-glandin E2 (PGE2) was found to suppress and indomethacin to increase IL-2 production. The stimulatory effect of Dang Gui was totally abrogated by PGE2.