Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) plumule polysaccharide protects the spleen and liver from spontaneous inflammation in non-obese diabetic mice by modulating pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression

► Lotus plumule polysaccharide (LPPS) was administered to NOD mice for 15 weeks. ► LPPS inhibited pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 cytokine production by splenocytes. ► LPPS decreased the secretion ratio of IL-6/IL-10 in the splenocyte cultures. ► LPPS decreased the TNF-α/IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10 gene expressions in the livers. ► LPPS protected the spleen and liver from spontaneous inflammation in NOD mice.