Andrographolide regulates immune function of lymphocyte in mice with experimental sepsis

Objective To investigate the effects of andrographolide on the immune function of lymphocytes in mice with experimental sepsis.Methods Sepsis model was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Forty eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12):sham group,CLP group,dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) group and andrographolide (AND) group.Normal saline,DMSO and andrographolide were injected intraperitoneally in equal volume to each group respectively at 1,6 h and 12 h after surgery.The spleen and thymus of mice in each group were harvested 24 h after operation.CD4+ T,CD8+ T,CD19+ B lymphocytes,and CD1 1c+ dendritic cells (DCs) were assessed using fluorescence activated cell sorter in spleen.Apoptosis of CD3+ T lymphocytes was detected using fluorescence activated cell sorter.Results The counts of CD4+ T,CD8+ T,CD19+ B lymphocytes and DCs in the AND group were (8.03±0.62)×105/ml,(3.42±0.58)×105/m1,(6.48±1.13)×106/ml and (5.50±0.79)×106/ml,higher than those in the CLP group (P＜0.01).Apoptosis of CD3+ T cell was inhibited in thymus in the AND group compared to that in the CLP group(P＜0.01).Conclusions Andrographolide could modulate the immune function of lymphocytes in mice with CLP sepsis. Key words: Andrographolide;  Sepsis;  Cecal ligation and puncture;  Lymphocytes;  Apoptosis