Beneficial effect of Bupleurum polysaccharides on autoimmune disease induced by Campylobacter jejuni in BALB/c mice

Aim of the study: Radix Bupleuri, is one of the most frequently prescribed crude herbs in the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases. This study was to determine whether the crude polysaccharides (BPs) isolated from the roots of Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium, had beneficial effects on autoimmune disease. Materials and methods: BALB/c mice were immunized With CJ-S-131 in Freund's complete adjuvant on day 0, and then boosted on day 14. BPs 15 or 30 mg kg(-1) day(-1), or prednisone 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) was given to BALB/c mice intragastrically from day 0 to day 34. Results: Treatment with BPs 15 or 30 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 35 days protected kidney from glomerular injury with reduced immunoglobulin deposition and lowered proteinuria. The increased production of serum autoantibodies and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) was also inhibited. BPs 30 mg kg(-1) day(-1) improved weight loss and spleen swelling when compared with vehicle-treated group. Conclusions: These findings suggested that Bupleurum polysaccharides had a beneficial effect on systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndroma induced by CJ-S-131 in BALB/c mice. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.