Ginseng and Bifidobacterium lactis synergistically improve vinorelbine-induced macrophage immunosuppression

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2026.04.0547

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the modulatory effects of ginseng, Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99 and their combination on the immune function of macrophages under vinorelbine(VNR)-induced immunosuppression, and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Vinorelbine-induced immunosuppressive models were establi-shed in both zebrafish and the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. In zebrafish experiments, changes of macrophage number and phagocytic function were observed using transgenic fluorescent zebrafish. In cell experiments, the following assessments were conducted: RAW264.7 cell viability by CCK-8 assay, phagocytic function by neutral red assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by DCFH-DA fluorescence probe assay, apoptosis by annexin V/PI double staining, and the expression of apoptosis- and phagocytosis-related genes (Bcl2, caspase3,Msr1, Rac1) by RT-qPCR. Network pharmacology was used to predict the mechanism of ginseng. Results Compared to the control group, the model group showed a significant reduction in macrophage number and phagocyte function (P＜0.001). Both ginseng and BL-99 monotherapies significantly increased the number of macrophages and enhanced phagocytosis (P＜0.001), with the combined intervention group showing stronger effects(P＜0.05). In RAW264.7 cells, compared with the model group, cell viability and phagocytosis were significantly enhanced, reactive oxygen species levels and apoptosis rate was significantly decreased in the ginseng, BL-99 and their combination group(P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that ginseng in combination with BL-99 upregulated the expression of Bcl2, Msr1 and Rac1 and downregulated the expression of caspase3(P＜0.01). Network pharmacological analysis suggested that the modulatory effect of ginseng on macrophage function under immunosuppressive conditions is closely associated with anti-apoptotic signaling pathways. Conclusions Ginseng and Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99 synergistically enhance macrophage immune function in the vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression model by alleviating oxidative stress and regulating the expression of apoptosis- and phagocytosis-related genes.

Key words: ginseng, Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99, immune suppression, macrophage, network pharmacology

CLC Number:

R392.5

SU Jialong, XU Guichuan, ZHENG Zhixin, ZHANG Enning, PENG Guiying. Ginseng and Bifidobacterium lactis synergistically improve vinorelbine-induced macrophage immunosuppression[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2026, 46(4): 547-554.

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