20-hydroxyecdysone as a human lymphocyte and neutrophil modulator: In vitro evaluation

20-hydroxyecdysone (1 microM) was found to activate in vitro T-cell CD2 presentation, which is suppressed both in secondary immunodeficient persons and pharmacologically by increasing intracellular cAMP levels. The compound was found to act like a synthetic psycho-immunomodulator 1-oxy-4-oxoadamantane (1 microM) and to exceed the effects of the thymomimetic agent levamisol (1 microM). In addition, 20-hydroxyecdysone (1 microM) was also revealed to modulate the fluoride-stimulated respiratory burst of human neutrophils in the same manner as water soluble antioxidants. Arch.