Immune-enhancing activity of polysaccharides isolated from Atractylodis macrocephalae Koidz

• RAMPStp and RAMPS60c enhanced T lymphocyte proliferation.
• RAMPS60c and RAMPStp could promote lymphocytes enter into S and G2/M phases and improve the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
• RAMPStp presented the best efficacy.
• RAMPStp would be expected as a component of new-type immunopotentiator.

This study evaluated the immune-enhancing activity of polysaccharides from the rhizoma of Atractylodis macrocephalae Koidz (RAMPS) in vitro. Lymphocyte proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were determined. Different concentrations of RAMPS were added to peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Results showed that RAMPStp and RAMPS60c could significantly enhance T lymphocyte proliferation individually or synergistically with phytohemagglutinin at most concentrations. The active sites of RAMPStp and RAMPS60c were then selected. Lymphocyte cell cycle distribution and percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were determined by flow cytometry. At most time points, RAMPS60c and RAMPStp could promote lymphocytes enter into S and G2/M phases. RAMPStp and RAMPS60c effectively improved the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RAMPStp produced optimal effects. Therefore, RAMPStp could be used as a component of novel immunopotentiators.