Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1999 May; 21(4): 261-4.

Effects of sairei-to and tokishakuyaku-san on cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells upon recognition of HLA-G protein in the treatment of recurrent abortion.

Fujii T, Hamai Y, Kozuma S, Miki A, Yamashita T, Hyodo H, Unno N, Taketani Y.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan. fujiit-tky@umin.ac.jp

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G has been shown to play a role in establishing pregnancy through the mechanism of modulating cytokine secretion from maternal lymphocytes. To elucidate the mechanisms of actions of the herbal medicines, Sairei-to and Tokishakuyaku-san, in the treatment of recurrent abortion, we investigated whether these medicines modulate cytokine secretion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) upon recognition of HLA-G protein on trophoblasts. Sairei-to and Tokishakuyaku-san increased the interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion and decreased the IL-3 secretion from PBMCs regardless of whether these cells recognized HLA-G protein or not. Accordingly, Sairei-to nullified the effects of HLA-G to reduce the secretion of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha and to enhance the secretion of IL-3. Tokishakuyaku-san also abolished the effect of HLA-G to reduce IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha secretion but did not affect the increase in IL-3 secretion. Thus, it is conceivable that Sairei-to may normalize Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing Th1 polarization in autoimmunity-related recurrent abortion in which Th1/Th2 balance might be shifted towards Th2 polarization. However, the mechanisms of action of Tokishakuyaku-san when used in treating unexplained recurrent abortion, cannot be explained only by the Th1/Th2.