Abstract:The effect of ethyl acetate extracts (EAE) from litchi fruit on cytokine production of mice was analyzed, and then its effect on the Th1/Th2 cells balance was explored. 30 BALB/C mice were divided into the control group (NC), the low dose group (EL, 4.6mg EAE/kg?bw?d), and the high dose group (EH, 9.2mg EAE/kg?bw?d). After 7 d, the index of spleen and thymus gland, and the spleen cells proliferation were detected. The secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 in spleen cells and serum were determined by ELISA. The results indicated that high-dose EAE could increase the index of spleen and thymus gland. Compared with NC group, IFN-γ secretion IL-4 of spleen cells and serum in EL and EH groups were significantly increased. Higher secretion of spleen cells and serum in EH groups were found compared with NC group. IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio of spleen cells and serum in both EL and EH groups were also significantly improved compared with NC group. EAE from litchi fruit may possess inflammatory response by shifting the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1 polarization.
