An herbal formula, Herbkines, enhances cytokines production from immune cells

Herbkines is a newly modified Oriental drug prescription for the purpose of immune enhancement, especially for those who are suffered from wasting diseases like cancer in Korea. In the present study, Herbkines has been applied to human leukemic T-cell lines (MOLT-4) and cytokines were estimated by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the effects of Herbkines on cytokines production. Interferon-γ production was increased by about five-folds at the dose of 1 mg/ml compared to control when Herbkines was applied to a T cells, MOLT-4. Interleukin (IL)-4 production showed high variation in dependence with doses. IL-2 production was increased by about three-folds at the Herbkines dose of 0.1 mg/ml. In addition, Herbkines increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-12 on the mouse peritoneal macrophages (by 7.3-fold for TNF-α and 2.2-fold for IL-12, respectively). These data suggest Herbkines has immune-enhancement effect through the cytokine production.