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Human papillomavirus type 13 is involved in multifocal epithelial hyperplasia among the Mexican Mayan population. The presence of HPV 13 in cells from saliva, combined with poor hygiene behaviors, may explain the familial distribution of the pathology.

The present study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory properties of the methanolic (MeOH) extract from Pouteria. campechiana leaves in peritoneal macrophages of Balb/c mice. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice and Vero cells were treated with the MeOH extract from leaves. Cell viability of the macrophages and Vero cells were evaluated by the 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. The phagocytic activity, as nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production were evaluated on peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that the MeOH extract from leaves was able to stimulate the phagocytic activity and increase NO, H 2 O 2 and cytokines production. The viability assays do not show cytotoxic effect on cell viability and cause a significative proliferative effect in the macrophages of a concentration-dependent manner. These results conclude that the MeOH extract from P. campechiana leaves possessed a stronger immunostimulatory effect in a concentration-dependent manner without affect the cell viability.

We performed a case-control association study to evaluate the association between common polymorphisms in MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and the Arg72Pro polymorphism in the p53 gene and the risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer (ICC) in Mexican HPV-infected women. We included 131 women with diagnosis of CIN grade I-II and 78 with CIN III or ICC; as controls we also included 274 women with normal Pap smear and negative HPV test. Genotyping for MTHFR and p53 polymorphisms was performed by PCR-RFPLs. HPV was tested by Hybrid Capture II. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Genotype frequencies for the 3 studied polymorphisms were distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The A1298C-MTHFR polymorphism showed significant differences for the heterozygous AC genotype and the C allele, whereas the AA genotype and A allele resulted to be genetic risk factors for CIN or ICC (p<0.03). The Arg72Pro-p53 polymorphism showed for the genotypes Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro, and for the Pro allele, a significant association only to the risk for CIN (p<0.03). The MTHFR/p53 interaction showed that the genotype combinations AA/ArgArg and AA/ArgPro were associated, respectively, to the risk of ICC and CIN (p<0.05). This study suggests that the A1298C-MTHFR polymorphism contributes to the genetic risk for both CIN and ICC, whereas the Arg72Pro-p53 polymorphism only contributes to the risk for CIN. The MTHFR/p53 genetic combinations AA/ArgArg and AA/ArgPro are associated genetic risk factors for ICC and CIN in Mexican HPV-infected women.

A bs t r ac tBackground: The aim of this work was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the methanol extract (MeOH) from Chrysophyllum cainito leaves on the MΦs functions. Material and Methods: Peritoneal murine MΦs isolated from Balb/c mice were treated with the MeOH extract and stimulated with LPS. The effect on the phagocytosis was evaluated by flow cytometry assay. The nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production was measured by the Griess reagent and phenol red reaction, respectively. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-was measured using an ELISA kit. Viability of MΦs and Vero cells was determined by the MTT method. Results: The MeOH extract of C. cainito leaves inhibited significantly the phagocytosis, and decreased IL-6 and

The in vitro cytotoxic activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol extracts of the sea-cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (Holothuroidea) was tested against normal cells (Vero), human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) ATCC cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Hexane extracts from body walls and viscera showed high cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells (IC50's = 48.5 and 42.5 g mL-1 , respectively), while the ethyl acetate extract of body walls was considered low active (IC50 = 98.3 μg mL-1). In addition, the body walls hexane extract showed a good selectivity index value of 12.0.

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Introduction Annona muricata (guanabana), is a common plant in various tropical regions of the world. Annona muricata is widely used in traditional Mayan medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, skin infections, inflammatory disorders, sedative, to reduce fever and as a treatment for cancer and diabetes. The reports of the traditional medicine about its properties and recent studies suggest that Annona muricata could enhance the effector mechanisms of the immune system. Aim of the study The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of methanolic extract of Annona muricata (AML-ME) leaves on macrophage function. Materials and methods The effect of Annona muricata on the immune system was tested in the monocyte THP-1 cell line. Prior to any test, the monocytes were differentiated to macrophages by the action of 100 ng/mL PMA for 24 hours The effect of AML-ME (75–800 μg/mL) on macrophage proliferation was measured using the MTT assay. The effect of AML-ME on production of nitric oxide, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) production was assessed on macrophages treated with the AML-ME (75–800 μg/mL) for 24 hours and later activated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide for another 24 hours. Results AML-ME showed to have no effect on THP-1 macrophages proliferation. However, it promotes, in a concentration-dependent manner, the production of nitric oxide, IL-6 and TNF-α. Conclusion The methanolic extract of Annona muricata leaves possesses immunomodulatory properties capable of modulate the effector functions of human macrophages. Further studies to elucidate the components of the extract as well as the mechanism of action this molecules are recommended