Phytomedicine. 1999 Nov; 6(5): 325-30.

Prevention of psychological stress-induced immune suppression by aged garlic extract.

Kyo E, Uda N, Ushijima M, Kasuga S, Itakura Y.

Pharmacology & Safety Assessment Laboratory of Healthcare Research Institute Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Taketa-gun, Hiroshima, Japan. [email protected]

We determined the effect of Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) on damage caused to immune function by a psychological stress using a communication box. After four days of a psychological stress, a decrease in spleen weight and spleen cells was observed in the psychological stress-exposed mice as compared normal mice (non-stress). AGE significantly prevented the decreases in spleen weight and cells. Additionally, AGE significantly prevented the reduction of hemolytic plaque-forming-cells in spleen cells and anti-SRBC antibody titer in serum caused by this psychological stress. Moreover, a reduction in NK activities was observed in the psychological stress-exposed mice as compared with normal mice (non-stress), whereas NK activities in the AGE administered mice were almost the same as normal mice (non-stress). These results indicate that psychological stress qualitatively and quantitatively impairs immune function, and that AGE is extremely useful for preventing psychologically-induced damage.