[Comparative study on immune enhancement effects of four kinds of dodder seeds in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of immune enhancement, anti-fatigue and anoxia tolerance on mice of four kinds of dodder seeds in Shandong Province. METHODS Water extracts and alcohol extracts of the four kinds of dodder seeds were administered to mice. The phagocytosis of coelio-macrophage, the weight changes of the immune organs, the survival time to swimming and lacking of oxygen were observed. RESULTS The four kinds of dodder seeds in Shandong Province could enhance the phagocytosis of macrophage of mice and increase the weights of thymus and spleen of the immature mice. They could prolong the survival time of mice swimming and lacking oxygen. Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and C. australis R. Br. had better effects than the other two kinds, and the water extracts had better effects than alcohol extracts. CONCLUSION The four kinds of dodder seeds in Shandong Province have the effects of immune enhancement, anti-fatigue and anoxia tolerance. The polysaccharide in dodder seeds is one of the effective materials to improve the immune system.