Astragalus mongholicus and Polygonum multiflorum's protective function against cyclophosphamide inhibitory effect on thymus.

The protective effects of two Chinese herbs, astragalus mongholicus, polygonum multiflorum and astragalus mongholicus-polygonum multiflorum in combination against thymus injury induced by cyclophosphamide were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, image analysis, DNA gel electrophoresis as well as flow cytometry. Results showed that mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide had degenerated thymus with less normal thymocytes; when those mice were treated with the herbs, thymus morphology improved. The apoptosis analysis showed the thymus treated with the herbs had fewer apoptotic thymocytes than the thymus pretreated with cyclophosphamide only. In conclusion, astragalus mongholicus and polygonum multiflorum have protective effects on the thymus against cyclophosphamide-induced injury. Their protective effects partly attribute to reduced apoptosis. Astragalus mongholicus-polygonum multiflorum in combination has better effects than either of the two herbs.