The crude latex of Euphorbia tirucalli modulates the cytokine response of leukocytes, especially CD4+ T lymphocytes

Abstract

Abstract:The plants of the Euphorbiaceae family, especially those of the genus Euphorbia, are frequently used by Brazilian folk communities to treat a wide variety of infectious, tumoral and infl ammatory illnesses. Among the species of this genus, Euphorbia tirucalli L. is widely used in some Brazilian regions, such as the Jequitinhonha River Valley. There is evidence that the latex produced by E. tirucalli has antiviral and antitumor activities, but little is known about the mechanisms involved in these effects. It is likely that the mechanism for such activities involves leukocyte activation and cytokine production. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the production of type 1 (TNF-α and IFN-γ) and type 2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines by circulating leukocyte subsets submitted to brief stimulation with the crude latex of E. tirucalli. Peripheral blood leukocytes of twenty healthy subjects were submitted to 4 h incubation with crude E. tirucalli latex diluted in dimethylsulfoxide. After the incubation period, the cells were stained with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibodies specifi c to the cell surface receptors CD4, CD8 and CD14, and to PE-conjugated monoclonal antibodies specifi c to the cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10. The acquisition and analysis of data were performed by fl ow cytometry. The results showed a signifi cant increase (p<0.05) in the percentage of CD4 + T lymphocytes positive for the type 1 cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ. Neutrophils and CD8 + T lymphocytes showed a mixed profi le of cytokine production, characterized by an increase in the percentage of cells expressing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10. The data indicate a predominant type 1 cytokine response. The fi ndings presented suggest that the effect popularly attributed to E. tirucalli usage may be attributed to its effect on the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ. However, the relationship between the in vitro and in vivo effects of E. tirucalli needs to be investigated.

Effect of crude latex from Euphorbia tirucalli on DMBA-induced carcinogenesis

“…Recent studies have shown that this plant has an immunomodulatory effect via the stimulation of type 1 cytokine production (INF-γ and TNF-α in leukocytes), which favors the cellular immune response [8]. It has also been shown that animals with induced tumors from EL4 or EG7 cell lines and rIFN-γ knockout or deficiency in the production of IFN-γ did not respond to chemotherapy, exhibiting the normal production of this cytokine and its receptors when compared to the control group [32].…”

“…The latex from this species is commonly used in traditional medicine [3] for the treatment of cancer [2,[4][5][6][7]. This substance is also reported to have immunomodulatory [7,8], analgesic [9], angiogenic [10], antimicrobial [11], antimutagenic and antirheumatic [12] properties.…”

A further investigation on the chemical constituents from Euphorbia tirucalli growing in Binh Thuan province

“…• Lupenone (2). White amorphous powder; the 1 H and 13 C NMR (CDCl 3 ) spectroscopic data, see Table 1.…”

“…Pharmacological properties of E. tirucalli indicated diverse bioactivities, comprising antioxidant and antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatoryand cytotoxicity, as well as enzyme inhibitory activities. Chemical profile of this plant provided three common skeletons such as terpenoids, polyphenols, and tannins [1][2][3] . In Vietnam, phytochemical investigation on this plant was scarce.…”

Effect of Patah Tulang Latex (Euphorbia tirucalli L.) on Wound Healing in Wistar Rat

“…al. 24 bahwa inkubasi in vitro selama 4 jam leukosit darah perifer dengan getah E. tirucalli yang didilusi pada dimetilsufoksida meningkatkan persentase limfosit T positif CD4 + secara signifikan.…”