Extract from Calotropis procera latex activates murine macrophages

Abstract

Calotropis procera latex has long been used in traditional medicines. Extracts from C. procera latex have been reported to have various pharmacological actions, including protection from myocardial infarction, hepatoprotective action, antitumor activity, antinociceptive, and pro- and anti-inflammatory actions. To evaluate the immunomodulatory functions of the water-soluble C. procera extract (CPE), we investigated its ability to activate macrophages-effector cells in inflammatory and immune responses. Intraperitoneal injection of CPE in mice (2 mg/mouse) induced migration of macrophages to the intraperitoneal cavity, confirming the proinflammatory effects of water-soluble CPE. The direct effects of CPE on macrophages were then assessed by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) as an indicator for macrophage activation. Addition of CPE (1-10 microg/ml) to the culture medium of the murine monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW264.7 caused an increase in NO production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. CPE-elicited NO production was blocked by application of an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Expression of iNOS mRNA was induced by treatment of cultured macrophages with CPE. Injection of CPE in mice also resulted in an increase in plasma NO level. The results suggest that CPE activates macrophages and facilitates NO production via up-regulation of iNOS gene expression.

Extraction and phytochemical investigation ofCalotropis procera: Effect of plant extracts on the activity of diverse muscles

“…Also it acts as purgative, anthelmintic, anticoagulant, antipyretic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial, and as a palliative in problems with respiration and blood pressure. It also has a neuromuscular blocking activity (Jalalpure et al, 2009;Mukherjee et al, 2009;Patra et al, 2009;Seddek et al, 2009). Members of the family are rich in cardiac glycosides and also are regarded as promising sources for antitumor agents (Barrett & Kieffer, 2001).…”

Fermented Lettuce Extract Induces Immune Responses through Polarization of Macrophages into the Pro-Inflammatory M1-Subtype

“…Macrophage activation is triggered by exposure to bacterial components such as LPS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have reported that plant extracts can activate macrophages [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Activated macrophages trigger immune responses driven by type 1 T helper cells and innate lymphoid cells through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO [ 25 ].…”

Therapeutic Potential of Calotropis procera: A giant milkweed

“…The ability of C. procera to activate macrophages-effector cells in inflammatory and immune responses was investigated [107]. Intraperitoneal injection of C. procera extract (CPE) in mice (2 mg/mouse) induced migration of macrophages to the intraperitoneal cavity, confirming the pro-inflammatory effects of watersoluble CPE.…”