Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of astragalus polysaccharide(APS)on expression of interleukin-4(IL-4)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)in non-obese diabetic(NOD)mice.Methods 20 NOD mice were randomly divided into the APS group and control group with 10 animals in each group.The mice of the APS group took APS 2 g/kg/d orally for two months.The animals of the control group took same quantity saline.The incidence rate of type 1 diabetes mellitus of two groups was calculated,and pancreatic histopathology was observed with microscope,and expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ were examined with RT-PCR for both APS group and control group.Results The incidence rate of type 1 diabetes mellitus of the APS group was lower than the control group,and histopathology of islets were more protected,expression of IFN-γ was lower and expression of IL-4 was higher in the APS group.Conclusion APS may correct the imbalance of cytokines.

Key words: astragalus polysaccharide, type 1 diabetes mellitus, cytokines