Cs‐5 modulating immune response in a normal adult model

Cs‐5, a mycelia fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis , has shown health benefits in several pharmacology areas. BABL/c mice (8‐mo) were randomized into 3 groups, receiving vehicle or Cs‐5 at a dose of 0.5 (LD) or 1.0 g/kg (HD) for 4 wks by gavage , to examine the Cs‐5's effect on splenocyte proliferation and cytokine secretions in response to PMA+Ionomycin. As compared to 2‐mo young controls, serum IgA and IgG were increased in 8‐mo controls (p<0.01). Compared to 8‐mo controls, serum IgA was decreased ~50% (P<0.01) and IgG increased (+46% & +27%, P<0.001) at both doses of Cs‐5. Splenocyte proliferation did not change with aging or with Cs‐5. Compared to 2‐mo controls, the 8‐mo adult controls showed increased ratio of IFN‐γ/IL‐4 as a measure of Th1/Th2 balance (P<0.01). Compared to 8‐mo controls, Cs‐5 (1) altered splenocyte response to stimuli in the HD group with enhanced IFN‐γ production (+292%, P<0.01); (2) decreased the ratio of IFN‐γ/IL‐4 in the LD group (−66%, P<0.01), but increased the ratio in the HD group (+1334%, P<0.01); (3) increased IL‐22 in the HD group (+281%, P<0.01); (4) decreased the TGF‐β secretion at both doses (−96% & −77%, P<0.01). In summary, in normal adult mice lacking inflammatory stimuli, Cs‐5 potentiates splenocytes towards Th1 immunity and suppresses responses of Th2, Th17 and Treg cells to the experimental stimuli. Thus Cs‐5 may modulate Th1/Th2/Th17 balance through down‐regulation of Treg.