Effects of a 70% methanolic extract (E-S) from the dried leaves of Epimedium sagittatum on a phagocytic activity of reticuloendothelial system were studied by the carbon clearance method in mice. The clearance-rate of carbon significantly increased 1 h after the oral administration of E-S (200 or 500 mg/kg, one time/d for 5d). E-S activated the phagocytosis of carbon by Kupffer cells in the liver. Icariin and epimedin C isolated from E-S also activated the phagocytosis. These results suggest that E-S promotes the phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system in mice and has a stimulatory effect on macrophage.
