earticle

영어

Ability of water extract from Prunella vulgaris Labiatae to stimulate immune system and inhibit tumor metastasisin mice was assessed. In experimental lung metastasis, prophylactic intravenous (i.v.) administration of water extract from P.vulgaris significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependant manner. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with P.vulgaris produced various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interlukin (IL)-12 as well as inducedtumoricidal activity. In an assay for natural killer (NK) cell activity, i.v. administration of P. vulgaris significantly augmentedNK cytotoxicity. The depletion of NK cells by injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 serum abolished the inhibitory effect of P.vulgaris on lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells. These data demonstrate that P. vulgaris activate innate immune system toinhibit the growth of foreign materials including tumor cells in mice.