Adequate stimulation of hematopoietic stem cell proliferation by a polyherbal formulation (EMSA eritin) leading to lymphocyte differentiation in BALB/c mice after radiation

Abstract

Radiotherapy is still an essential option for treatment of various stages of cancer. However, the irradiation administered would deplete the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, which would eventually decrease the number of lymphocytes and erythrocytes in the circulatory system. EMSA eritin is a polyherbal formulation that has the ability to stimulate erythropoiesis in mice after radiation therapy. Erythropoiesis is a complex mechanism involving the interaction of dozens of genes that may also be involved in other cellular process, such as lymphopoiesis. In this study, we elucidated the potential of EMSA eritin to stimulate other mechanisms, in addition to being an inducer of erythrocyte production. Bioinformatic analysis results indicated that the EMSA eritin formulation contains multiactive compounds that synergistically drive hematopoiesis and trigger lymphocyte differentiation. We then tested this prediction using an in vivo cell-culture system in a mice model. Experimental results suggested that EMSA eritin is able to induce hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiate these cells into lymphocytes in BALB/c mice after sublethal radiation therapy. Moreover, the polyherbal formulation increased proliferation and survival of B and T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the polyherbal formulation is adequate to ameliorate both erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis. The formulation thus appears very promising for treatment of patients following radiation therapy. However, this warrants further investigation.