Objective: To study the effect of paeoniflorin on proliferation and cytokine secretion for mouse spleen cell in vitro

in order to determine its impact and mechanism on immune function in vitro for clinical application and industrial production. Method: Spleen cells were cultured with the paeoniflorin solutions at concentrations of 62.5

12.5

250

500

1000 mg·L-1. The blank group was set as well. Cell culture plates were taken out at 3

6

9 d. Proliferations of the cells were determined by counting the cells on the blood cell plates. Interleukin-12(IL-2)

interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) secreted by the cells were examined with enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). After intervention with 500 mg·L-1 paeoniflorin solution for 5 days

the cell subtypes were checked with flow cytometry (FCM). After intervention for 9 days

changes in cell phenotypes were measured by Western blot. Result: At 3

6

9 d

compared with the blank group

proliferation of the cells at different concentrations in drug group were significantly higher (P<0.01)

and IL-2

IFN-γ and TNF-α contents in drug group increased significantly with the rise in the concentration of paeoniflorin (P<0.05

P<0.01). Moreover

paeoniflorin could stimulate the proliferation of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. Paeoniflorin at different mass concentrations increased the protein expression of IL-2

IFN-γ

TNF-α and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Conclusion: Paeoniflorin can increase immune function by stimulating proliferation of and secretion of IL-2

IFN-γ and TNF-α and activating NF-κB.