Astragalus polysaccharide and sulfated epimedium polysaccharide synergistically resist the immunosuppression

The immunoenhancement of compound polysaccharides, APS–sEPS composed with astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and sulfated epimedium polysaccharide (sEPS), was observed in immunosuppressed model chicken induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy). 11-day-old chickens were injected with Cy once a day for three successive days except vaccine control group. At day-14-old, all chickens were vaccinated with ND vaccine, and in experimental groups simultaneously administrated with APS–sEPS at three dosages, APS and sEPS once a day for three successive days. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the administration, the peripheral T-lymphocyte proliferation, serum antibody titers, IFN-γ, IL-2, IgG and IgM were determined. The results displayed that APS–sEPS could overcome Cy-induced immunosuppression, significantly promote T-lymphocyte proliferation and raised serum antibody titers, IFN-γ, IL-2, IgG and IgM levels, its high and medium doses were superior to single APS or sEPS. This demonstrated that APS and sEPS could synergistically resist the immunosuppression and APS–sEPS was an effective immunopotentiator.