A newly devised formulation for self-medication enhances interferon-γ production and proliferation of splenic lymphocytes

A newly devised formulation for self-medication in Toyama, PanaWang, is a new herbal medicine (so called Toyama original brand formulation) developed based on traditional philosophy and scientific evidence. We here tried to examine the effect of oral administration of PanaWang on the balance of type I helper T cells (Th1) and Th2 cells. Splenic lymphocytes from normal mice were stimulated with Concanavalin A (Con A) in vitro and the secretion of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) respectively, was investigated. Con A-induced production of IFN-γ from spleen cells, but not IL-4, was enhanced by the administration of PanaWang. Increased production of IFN-γ was also detected in splenic lymphocytes from Th2-predominant BALB/c mice after DNP-immunization, without a change in antigen-specific IgE levels in vivo. Antigen-specific proliferative responses were also increased in lymphocytes from PanaWang-treated mice. These findings raise the possibility that PanaWang has Th1-stimulating activity and induces Th1-predominant immunity.