Objective To discuss and explore possible mechanism of Yiqi Yangxue Decoction（益气养血汤） containing Hongqi（ Radix Hedysari 红芪） or containing Huangqi（ Radix Astragali

黄芪） against immunosenescence

and to compare the effect of both. Methods Randomly divided 30 Kunming mice of young age into the Hongqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group

the Huangqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group and the blank group

with 10 mice in each. The Hongqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group and the Huangqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group were both given 6 g /（ kg·d） of corresponding crude drugs

with 0. 4 ml /（ 20 g·d） of gastric volume. The blank group was given with equivalent saline in gavage

continuing for 14 days. Mouse eyeballs were removed to draw blood 2 hours after the last gavage to prepare serum containing Yiqi Yangxue Decoction and blank serum. Density of T-lymphocytes in spleen of SAMP8 mice were regulated to the density needed

and a Hongqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group（ drug serum）

a Huangqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group（ drug serum）

a blank group（ blank serum）

a young age mice group（ absolute nutrient solution） and a SAMP8 group（ absolute nutrient solution） were set up for T-lymphocytes culture.Proliferation ability of each cell

the expression of T-lymphocytes surface molecule including CD8

+

CD4

+

CD4

+

/CD8

+

and CD28

+

CD152

+

levels of Interleukin 2（ IL-2） and gamma interferon（ IFN-γ） in cell culture supernatant

the expression of PI-3K m RNA and positive rate of β-galactose glucoside enzyme staining in cells were examined after cultivating for 72 hours. Results Compared with those in the young age group

cell proliferation ability

the expression of CD8

+

molecule on the cellular surface

level of IL-2 and IFN-γin cell culture supernatant and the expression of PI3 K m RNA in cells of T-lymphocytes in spleen of mice remarkably decreased

while double positive expression of CD4

+

CD4

+

/ CD8

+

CD28

+

CD152

+

and positive rate of β-galactose glucoside enzyme aging cells remarkably increased in the SAMPS group（ P

<

0. 05）. Compared with in the blank serum group

the proliferation ability of T-lymphocytes

level of IL-2 and IFN-γin cell culture supernatant

and the expression of PI3 K m RNA in cells increase

but positive rate of β-galactose glucoside enzyme staining cells decrease in both the Hongqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction and the Huangqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction groups（ P

<

0. 05）. And in the aspects of improving cellular proliferation ability and increasing IL-2 level and expression of PI3 K m RNA

the Hongqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group was superior to the Huangqi Yiqi Yangxue Decoction group（ P

<

0. 05）. Conclusion Yiqi Yangxue Decoction containing Hongqi or Huangqi can both increase proliferation ability of T-lymphocytes in spleen of SAMP8 mice in vitro.The possible mechanism may be improving secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ

up-regulating expression quantity of PI3 K m RNA

decreasing expression of β-galactose glucoside enzyme to improve immunosenescence state of T-lymphocytes.The effect of Yiqi Yangxue Decoction containing Hongqi is superior to Yiqi Yangxue Decoction containing Huangqi.