The in vivo effects of cytokine modulation for Balb/C mice given Canavalia ensiformis (L.) seeds with different heat treatment

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Canavalia ensiformis seeds, roasted at 180 °C for 25 min (group A), 190 °C for 15 min (group B) and 200 °C for 5 min (group C), respectively, on the cytokine modulation in Balb/C mice. Six groups of mice, each divided into two parts, were administered a diet containing either 50% dried-ground seed powder (groups A1, B1, C1) or 75% dried-ground seed powder (groups A2, B2, C2) for 6 months. Another group (group D) was administered the normal diet during the same time. The physiological characteristics of the mice were observed during the study period. The results revealed neither weight difference nor pathological changes among the seven groups. However, serum-cytokine assays indicated that increased secretion, of both TH1- and TH2-pattern cytokines in mice serum can be achieved in group A1 and the most obvious increased secretion of TH2-pattern cytokines in mice serum was demonstrated in group C1. We conclude that increased secretion of both TH1- and TH2-pattern cytokines in mouse serum can be achieved with a diet of C. ensiformis seeds and the effect on cytokine modulation in vivo is related to its dosage and the process of heat treatment.