Reversal of stress- or chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression by socheongryong-tang aqueous extract

Abstract Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) has been recognized as a traditional medication for managing chills and fever in East Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. This study aimed to elucidate the novel biological activity and mode of action underlying the immunity-boosting effects of SCRT in murine macrophages. Our findings demonstrate that SCRT significantly enhances phagocytic activity, productions of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and mRNA expression of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These effects are attributed to the activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling axis. Importantly, SCRT maintains its immunomodulatory effects even under stressful conditions induced by hydrocortisone (HCOR) treatment or chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This resilience against stress or chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression underscores the potential of SCRT aqueous extract as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating immunosuppression associated with stress or chemotherapy.