OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Luyuan Capsule (LYC) leachate on the proliferation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) of adult peripheral blood.

METHODSTotally 100 mL peripheral blood was collected from 4 healthy males. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using density gradient centrifugation. The precursor DCs were obtained using wall adherent culture. The immature DCs with recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) and recombinant human IL-4 (rhlL-4) added were harvested for 7 days to get immature DCs. The immature DCs cultured with 1% LYC leachate for two days were taken as the experimental group, while the immature DCs cultured with 20 ng/mL recombinant human TNF-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) for two days were taken as the control group. The morphology of DCs was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell proliferation was detected by cell counting. The DCs specific marker CD83 was analyzed using flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe proliferation capacities of DCs were improved in the experimental group. More and longer dendritic protrusions and possess were shown on the surface of DCs in the experimental group than in the control group. The CD83 expressions was obviously higher in the experimental group (84.1% +/- 0.3%) than in the control group (58.7% +/- 0.2%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION1% LYC leachate could promote the maturation and proliferation of peripheral blood DCs, stronger than that of 20 ng/mL rhTNF-alpha.