The Effects of Plebeiae Herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) on the Anticancer (in vitro) and Activation of Immune Cells

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Plebeiae Herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) on the proliferation of AGS cell lines and the activation of splenocytes. In an anti-cancer test using AGS cells, water and ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba inhibited the growth of AGS cell lines and morphological changes were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Water extract of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of 43.3% at 1,000 ㎍/mL and 69.7% at 3,000 ㎍/mL. Ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of approximately 37.3% for 1,000 ㎍/mL and 75.8% for 3,000 ㎍/mL. The Plebeiae Herba induced the proliferation of spleen cells and increased interleukin (IL)-2, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Plebeiae Herba seems to have antiproliferationg effect against the AGS cell and acts as a potent immunomodulator.