[Effects of Forsythia suspense extract on cell proliferation and activation of the mouse T lymphocytes in vitro].

AIM: To investigate the effect of Forsythia suspensa (FS) extract on the activation and proliferation of the mouse T lymphocytes in vitro as well as its immunosuppressive effect. METHODS: The lymphocytes were isolated from the lymphoid nodes of BALB/c mice. Fluorescence conjugated monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of CD69, CD25 and CD 71 of the activated T lymphocytes in vitro in response to Concanavalin A (ConA). Stained with CFDA-SE, the mouse lymphocytes were stimulated by ConA. The effect of FS extract on cell proliferation in vitro was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: FS extract decreased the expression of CD69, CD25 and CD71 at the final concentration of 40, 80 and 160 mg/L, respectively(P<0.05). CFDA-SE staining showed that FS extract at different concentration significantly inhibited the proliferation of lymphocytes induced by ConA (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: FS extract can inhibit the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes in response to ConA.