Abstract: Objective To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of emodin and its effect on the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 in peripheral blood and splenocytes in mice. Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, cyclophosphamide group, emodin high and low dose (10 and 5 mg / kg) group. After 7 days, the thymus and spleen index, the content of serum hemolysin and peripheral blood lymphocyte transformation rate were analyzed. The expression of TNF-α and IL-10 in peripheral blood was detected by ELISA. RT- PCR was used to detect the changes of TNF-α and IL-10 mRNA expression in mouse spleen cells. Results The application of emodin reduced the thoracic spleen index and peripheral lymphocyte transformation rate, but increased the serum hemolysin level in mice. The level of TNF-α in emodin group was decreased and the level of IL-10 was increased. The mRNA expression of IL-10 in spleen cells of emodin group was increased and the expression of TNF-α mRNA was decreased. Conclusions Emodin can improve the humoral immune function of mice and exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity, but it has certain inhibitory effect on immune organs and cell immune function.

Key words: emodin, immunomodulatory, TNF-α, IL-10