Effects of sijunzi decoction on small intestinal T lymphocyte subsets differentiation in reserpine induced spleen deficiency rats

Sijunzi decoction (SJZ), composed of Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula Nannf.), Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), Fuling (Tuckahoe) and Gancao (Radix glycyrrhiza) is well known as a classical Chinese traditional and herbal medicamentum aiming directly at spleen deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The present research is to evaluate the regulatory effect of SJZ on small intestinal T lymphocyte subsets differentiation in reserpine-induced spleen deficiency rats. Reserpine induced spleen deficiency rats were orally administrated with SJZ (0.2 mL/200 g, 0.6 mL/200 g and 1.0 mL/200 g, body weight) once a day for a period of 5 days. Clinical symptoms including body weight were observed every day, the small intestine damage and recovery by SJZ were detected by electron microscope scanning, small intestine lymphocytes were separated for T lymphocyte subsets detection by flow cytometry and T lymphocyte related cytokine expression was studied using quantitative real time PCR. Results showed that proper dose of SJZ can significantly promote the recovery of body weight and small intestine damage as well as regulate the differentiation of CD3(+), CD3(+)D4(+) T lymphocyte subsets and the expression of Type 1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL10). Besides, a significant CD4(-)CD8(-) T lymphocyte subset was found in reserpine treated and high dose SJZ administrated rats. Data from this study proved that SJZ possess a significant promoting effect on the amelioration of spleen deficiency, CD4(+) T lymphocyte and cytokines related with regulation of T lymphocyte differentiation would be key targets of SJZ on spleen deficiency.