Effects of immunoflu on inflammatory cytokines in an experimental animal model of chronic fatigue

Abstract

Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a poorly understood disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by clinical manifestations including physical exhaustion, low-grade fever, myalgia, dizziness, mood fluctuations, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. CFS is highly prevalent and frequently comorbid with psychiatric conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. Symptoms exacerbate during physical or mental exertion and do not completely resolve with rest. Currently, there is a lack of proven, effective pharmacological treatments for CFS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effects of Immunoflu. Aim: To evaluate the anti-fatigue effects of Immunoflu, a technologically modernized formulation derived from the traditional Mana-4 decoction. Materials and Methods: A chronic fatigue rat model was established using the forced-swim protocol described by Jia Wang and Chengxin Sun (2013). The pharmacological effects of Immunoflu were evaluated by quantifying serum levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-17a) by ELISA and assessing behavioral despair using the forced swim test (FST). Results: We evaluated how Immunoflu affects the chronic fatigue model at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg by measuring serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-17a and assessing despair using the “Forced swim test”. In the forced-swimming-induced chronic fatigue model in rats, Immunoflu at a dose of 100 mg/kg increased the serum IL-2 indicator by 23.8%, and Immunal at a dose of 50 mg/kg increased it by 23.3% compared to the model control group, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Immunoflu at 200 mg/kg reduced IL-17a cytokine levels by 23.7% compared with the model control group. When evaluating the swimming state of the animals with the Forced swim test, the group given Immunal 50 mg/kg (52.03±9.3 sec) decreased by 31.6% (*p=0.038), and the group given Immunoflu 100 mg/kg (49.19±8.54 sec) decreased by 35.3% (*p=0.01) respectively compared to the model control group, while no statistically significant difference was observed in other groups. Conclusions: 1. Immunoflu at 100 mg/kg demonstrates immunostimulatory effects in a chronic fatigue model by increasing serum IL-2 levels by 23.8%. Additionally, at 200 mg/kg, it exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, reducing IL-17a levels by 23.7%. 2. In the forced-swimming model, Immunoflu at 100 mg/kg effectively reduced behavioral despair and physical fatigue by 35.3%.