Immune-regulating activity of Cyclopia subternata and C. genistoides extracts (honeybush tea) in vitro, using a murine cell culture, merited investigation of their immune-regulating functions in vivo. Oral administration of the extracts and ovalbumin (OVA) to OVA specific-T cell receptor transgenic mice (DO11.10) significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced both Th1- and Th2-type antibody productions in the sera and generation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the spleen. Demonstration of these activities in vivo confirmed those observed in vitro, suggesting that the active substances in honeybush extracts directly affected immune cells after absorption from the intestine. We demonstrated that the induced Treg cells from mice treated with C. subternata extract suppressed responses of antigen-stimulated naïve T cells when co-cultured, showing a comparable activity to naïve Treg cells. Exhibition of both immune-stimulatory and immune-regulatory activities by Cyclopia extracts in vivo supports growing consumption of Cyclopia spp. as herbal tea that can impact positively on health through the diet.

利用鼠类细胞培养物在体外对Cyclopia subternata和C. genistoides提取物（蜂蜜茶）的免疫调节活性，值得研究它们在体内的免疫调节功能。将提取物和卵清蛋白（OVA）口服给予OVA特异性T细胞受体转基因小鼠（DO11.10）显着（P <0.05）增强了血清中Th1和Th2型抗体的产生以及调节性T细胞的产生（ Treg细胞）在脾脏中。体内这些活动的证实证实了体外观察到的那些活动，表明蜂蜜提取物中的活性物质从肠道吸收后直接影响免疫细胞。我们证明，共培养时，用C.subternata提取物处理的小鼠诱导的Treg细胞抑制了抗原刺激的初生T细胞的应答，显示了与初生Treg细胞相当的活性。Cyclopia提取物在体内的免疫刺激和免疫调节活性的展示支持对Cyclopia spp的消费不断增长。作为可以通过饮食对健康产生积极影响的凉茶。