Effect of chrysanthemum flower extract on immunoglobulin and cytokine production by mouse spleen lymphocytes

To clarify immunoregulatory activity of a chrysanthemum flower extract, the effect on immunoglobulin or cytokine production in mouse spleen lymphocytes was examined. When the lymphocytes were cultured with the extract, the IgA, IgG and IgM production was suppressed in the presence of the extract diluted with phosphate buffered saline by 9 fold. At lower concentrations, a weak stimulation of the IgM production was observed. In addition, significant suppression of IFN-γ production was observed in the 729-fold diluted extract. But was hardly detected in the 27-fold or less diluted solution. The significant suppression of IL-4 production was also observed in the 27-fold or more diluted solution during the 24 hr culture, with slight effect after the 48 hr culture. Gel filtration chromatography of the extract provided different fractions suppressing and facilitating the IFN-γ production. These results show that there were both suppression and facilitation factors of the cytokine production in the mouse spleen lymphocytes in the chrysanthemum flower extract.