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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Induction and Monitoring of Active Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) in Rats
Published on: July 19, 2007
[Effects of berberine on DNFB-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in mice]
Li-rui Du1, Xian-hui He, Li-hui Xu
1Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation and Immunology of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Aim:
To investigate the effect of berberine (Ber) on DNFB-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and explore the mechanism of the immunosuppression effect of berberine.
Methods:
BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: control group, DTH group, and Ber-treated DTH group. The DTH group was sensitized to DNFB by painting the shaved abdomen with DNFB dissolved in propanone/olive oil. The Ber-treated DTH group was injected (i.p.) with berberine daily for 7 consecutive days, with the total dose of 30 mg/kg. The control group was treated with the solvent without DNFB. All mice were then challenged by painting 10 microL of 2 g/L DNFB on the left ears. The weight of right and left ears was measured at 48 h after challenge. Histological changes of mouse auricles were observed under light microscopy. Violet crystal staining was used to determine the effect of Ber on adhesion of mouse splenic lymphocytes to extracellular matrix (ECM). Annexin-V staining was used to detect the apoptotic rate of the lymphocytes in the lymph nodes.
Results:
The results of ear weighting showed that Ber significantly inhibited DTH reaction (P<0.05). Histological observation indicated Ber reduced markedly the infiltration of lymphocytes. The adhesion of T lymphocytes to ECM was also notably decreased by Ber treatment (P<0.05). There was no obvious difference in apoptotic rates of the lymphocytes among Ber-treated DTH group, DTH group and control group (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Ber can significantly inhibit the DNFB-induced DTH in mice. The reduced adhesion between mouse T lymphocytes and ECM may be one of the mechanisms of suppression of DTH by Ber.
