Abstract:

In this study, a mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced immunosuppression was used to evaluate the
immunomodulatory effects of water-soluble ginseng polysaccharides (WGPA) combined with Lactobacillus plantarum
C88. The mice was administered with WGPA alone and combined with L. plantarum C88 by gavage, respectively. The
serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis
factor-α (TNF-α) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The
phagocytic index of phagocytes was also examined by carbon clearance test. The results showed that WGPA combined with
Lactobacillus plantarum C88 could significantly enhance the phagocytic capacity of phagocytes. IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, TNF-α
and IgG levels were significantly increased, whereas IL-10 level was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In
addition, the immunomodulatory effect of the combined treatment was significantly stronger than that of WGPA alone. In
conclusion, WGPA combined with L. plantarum C88 has certain immunomodulatory effects.

Key words: Lactobacillus plantarum, ginseng polysaccharides, prebiotic, immunomodulatory activity